Prenuptial agreement lawyer: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What prenuptial agreement lawyer is

A prenuptial agreement lawyer provides information about written agreements couples make before marriage on property and finances, and may draft or review one. Couples look for help when one or both have assets, debts, a business or children from earlier relationships. General information, not advice.

Signs you need it

  • One of you owns a business or a home before the marriage
  • Either of you has children from an earlier relationship
  • One of you carries significant debt that you want to keep separate
  • You expect an inheritance or family property that you want to keep in your family line
  • You want to put in writing how finances and property are handled if the marriage ends
  • Your partner has handed you an agreement and you want it reviewed before signing

What the pro does

  • Meet with the person who wants the agreement and learn what property, debts and goals are involved
  • Explain in general terms what state law says about property when no agreement exists
  • Draft the agreement or review the draft the other side provided
  • Exchange financial disclosures between the partners
  • Explain each section so you understand what you are giving up and keeping
  • Coordinate signing in a way that follows your state's formal requirements

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether you are drafting a new agreement or reviewing one
  • The number and type of assets, such as a business, real estate or retirement accounts
  • Whether both partners have separate lawyers
  • How many rounds of changes are needed
  • Whether the agreement addresses support or inheritance
  • How close the wedding date is
  • Whether international property or residence is involved

What a written quote should spell out

  • Whether the fee covers drafting, review, negotiation or all three
  • Whether each partner will have their own lawyer
  • Financial disclosure documents that will be needed
  • The number of revision rounds included
  • The signing process and any witness or notary requirement

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you draft agreements for couples in this state regularly?
  • Why does each partner need a separate lawyer?
  • What financial disclosure is needed from each of us?
  • What does this state treat as separate and marital property if we have no agreement?
  • How early before the wedding should we begin?
  • What can an agreement not cover, for example matters about children?
  • How would we update the agreement later?

Red flags

  • A lawyer who offers to represent both partners in the same agreement
  • A request to sign the agreement shortly before the wedding with no time to review
  • A draft that leaves out financial disclosure
  • A promise that the agreement will always be upheld

What you can do yourself

You can list your assets, debts and goals, and talk with your partner about what each of you wants before meeting a lawyer. Do not sign a form you cannot understand. Each partner should have their own licensed attorney review the final agreement.

Licenses and permits

Prenuptial agreement lawyers must be licensed attorneys in good standing. Check their license with the state bar.

Prenuptial agreement lawyer questions

Is a prenuptial agreement only for wealthy couples?

No. People with a range of assets, debts or family situations may consider one. A licensed attorney can explain whether it fits your case.

Can both of us use the same lawyer?

One lawyer cannot properly represent both people on opposite sides of an agreement. Each partner should have their own.

Can a court ignore the agreement?

Courts review agreements under state rules. A licensed attorney can explain what the rules require, but no result is guaranteed.

When should we start?

Starting well before the wedding gives time for disclosure and review.

Pro reviewers

Pros who offer prenuptial agreement lawyer remotely can improve this guide, like Wikipedia. We check every edit before it goes live. Every approved edit is credited in the edit history and on the pro's profile.

Edit history

How guide reviews work

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More legal guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request prenuptial agreement lawyer