How to Draft a Clear Prenup Template: A Practical Guide

If you and your partner are considering a prenup, starting with a template might seem like the easiest way. And in many ways, it is. A well-structured template can help you visualize the basics, organize your thoughts, and get the conversation flowing. But here’s what you should know: no template is built for your exact relationship. It won’t know about your startup equity, your student loans, or the promises you’ve made about future roles and responsibilities.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t useful. In fact, using a prenup template can be a smart first step. It helps you map the landscape so you’re not going in blind. And from there, you can partner with your attorney to create an enforceable, appropriately-written prenup that is tailored to you and your partner. 

In this guide, we’ll show you how to get started with a prenup template, where to personalize it, and why working with a lawyer can take your prenup from generic to genuinely meaningful.

What a Prenup Template Can (and Can’t) Do

Think of a prenup template as a framework. It provides structure, not solutions. This can be incredibly valuable when you're just getting started. It highlights the key topics that go into a prenup, from property division to spousal support, and sets the stage for a more informed conversation with your partner.

While it can help you organize your financial priorities and spark discussions around important “what if” scenarios, it may not capture the unique goals, values, and circumstances of your relationship. It also won’t account for the evolving state laws or legal nuances that could make it legally invalid or incomplete.

At Neptune, we believe the best prenup isn’t a one-size-fits-all document. It’s an agreement that reflects thoughtful conversations, mutual respect, and your unique circumstances. The right prenup is the one that’s crafted for you and your partner, addressing what truly matters to both of you.

Let’s dive in further. 

Start with a Conversation, Not a Clause

Before you even look at a standard prenup template, start talking. This is the perfect time to discuss your financial philosophies, expectations, and future plans.

Here are some key topics that you can explore with your partner:

• How do you both view debt and savings?
• Are you planning to buy property together?
• What does financial independence look like for each of you?
• Would either of you consider taking a career break for children or caregiving?

It’s normal for these conversations to feel a bit vulnerable. But that vulnerability is often the foundation of clarity, trust, and stronger commitment.

Having these conversations early helps ensure that your prenup reflects the financial and emotional realities of your relationship.

Key Elements Every Prenup Template Should Include

Even the most basic prenup templates should touch on the core financial topics most couples want to clarify. Here’s what to look for, and why each element matters:

1. Disclosure of Property

A strong prenup begins with transparency. Both partners should fully disclose their assets and liabilities, including but not limited to real estate, savings, investments, and loans. This step builds trust and sets the tone for the entire agreement.

2. Separate Property

This section outlines what each of you owns prior to the marriage and ensures that it remains yours, unless stated otherwise. It’s especially useful if you have personal assets you want to keep distinct, such as inherited property or personal investments.

3. Marital Property

Here, you’ll define which assets you’ll acquire together during the marriage and how they’ll be managed. It’s helpful to agree on how joint decisions will work, especially for big-ticket purchases like a home.

4. Debt

A well-drafted prenup clarifies how debt will be handled. This includes what you bring into the marriage as well as what you may take on together. It helps you decide who’s responsible for specific debts and how repayment would work.

5. Spousal Support

This clause helps you plan for how support might work in the event of a major transition. You can talk about financial support expectations over time, whether one partner plans to step back from work, take on caregiving duties, or contribute in non-financial ways that should be recognized.

6. Estate Planning Clauses

If you have children from previous relationships, family trusts, or long-term financial plans, your prenup can work alongside your will or estate plan. This is particularly important in blended families or when significant inheritances are involved.

7. Business Ownership

If one or both of you owns a business, your prenup should clearly state how that ownership would be treated. Will the business remain separate? Will future growth be considered marital property?

8. Sunset Clause

Some couples choose to include a “sunset clause,” meaning the prenup expires after a certain number of years. It’s a way of revisiting the agreement once trust and financial stability have evolved.

9. Governing Law

This clause clarifies which state’s laws will apply to your prenup. It matters more than you might think, especially if you live in one state now but might move in the future.

10. Acknowledgment of Independent Counsel

A strong prenup includes language confirming that both parties have had the chance to seek their own legal advice. This helps ensure the agreement is fair and more likely to be upheld if ever reviewed later on.

How to Personalize a Prenup Template

This is where the real work and value comes in. Personalizing a prenuptial agreement means going beyond boilerplate language and thinking critically about your future together.

Here are a few ways to start:

1. Talk Through Scenarios Together

Use the template as a prompt, not a script. Sit down with your partner and talk through the “what ifs.” For example, what happens if one of you wants to go back to school or start a new business?

2. Flag Clauses That Feel Too Generic

If something feels vague or doesn’t quite apply to your situation, flag it. You can always revise it later with your lawyer’s input.

3. Document Shared Goals

Some couples include a short ‘Preamble’ or ‘Recitals’ in their prenup explaining the intentions for the agreement. While it may not be legally binding, it can provide helpful context if the prenup is ever reviewed in court.

4. Consider Future Life Changes

A good prenup accounts for not just your present, but your future. Think about career changes, cross-country moves, health concerns, or children, and how those might impact your agreement. An important note for the future: You should know now that a prenup cannot address child custody.

When to Involve a Lawyer (and Why It Matters)

Even if you start with a simple prenup template, involving a lawyer isn’t just about making things “official.” It’s about making sure your agreement is fair, enforceable, and aligned with your actual life and not just a hypothetical one.

A prenup built with a qualified lawyer can help:

• Spot red flags early
• Ensure both parties understand the implications
• Account for future milestones (like kids, homeownership, or major career changes)
• Avoid emotionally loaded language that could lead to conflict

At Neptune, “good enough” isn’t good enough. The difference between average and exceptional legal representation can cost you, financially and emotionally. That’s why our attorney network is handpicked and vetted not just for technical expertise, but for experience with complex asset structures, communication style, and emotional intelligence. You’re not hiring a generalist—you’re matched with attorneys who've worked with hundreds of clients like you, and who knows how to navigate asset imbalances, equity, and real-world partnership dynamics.

Start with a Template, But Don’t Stop There

Using a prenup template can help you begin the conversation and understand the structure. But your relationship deserves more than a plug-and-play form. A well-drafted prenup supports your partnership, respects your individuality, and sets the stage for a financially transparent future. Your prenup should be as intentional as your commitment.

And when you’re ready to go beyond the template, Neptune is here to help. Think of us as a financial concierge that wealth-building couples trust to lay the foundation for their shared future—starting with prenups. By combining emotionally-intelligent AI, vetted legal experts, and transparent flat-fee pricing, Neptune creates financial alignment, transforming a traditionally tense process into a relationship-strengthening experience. Reach out to Neptune today.