A prenup lawyer’s costs vary, but choosing one who charges flat fees (to avoid hidden costs) instead of hourly rates and retainers may prevent costs from spiraling. In addition, making sure to organize your assets beforehand and hiring a good attorney with a strong track record, such as prenup lawyers from Neptune, can significantly reduce the time it takes to complete the prenuptial agreement. 

For couples planning a future together, a prenup is a wise decision, as it provides you with a tool to be more proactive about your future financial well-being. So, if you're reading this, chances are you've considered a prenuptial agreement and need clarification on its cost. 

Below, we discuss how lawyers charge for prenuptial agreements and the factors affecting their costs. To help you navigate the process, talk to Neptune and learn about essential prenup topics. Neptune can also connect you to skilled and experienced attorneys who understand your unique needs and can help break down the prenup lawyer cost.

How a Prenup Works

A prenup encourages you to openly and honestly discuss your finances with your significant other. It allows you to address financial concerns before they become serious later on and helps you with future financial planning as a couple. When getting a prenup, you sit with your partner and discuss your shared financial goals and values, helping you make informed decisions about your future together. 

Once you're clear on your needs or preferences, the next step is to hire an experienced lawyer who can draft and finalize the prenuptial agreement. Each party should have their own lawyer to ensure both receive personalized legal advice. One of the biggest reasons the court strikes down prenups is when a couple fails to use two lawyers.  

Average Cost of Getting a Prenup

Getting a prenuptial agreement involves consulting attorneys and hiring other professionals, such as an appraiser, to estimate the value of your assets. The average cost depends on several factors, including location and attorneys' fees. Drafting and enforcing a prenuptial agreement can also be a long process, which will cost more. You may even find that some attorneys just make up the numbers as they go. 

Overall, the attorney costs are going to be the biggest expenses during the prenup process. 

What Happens During Consultation With Your Attorney?

During the initial consultation, you and the attorney will discuss your assets, debts, and overall financial situation in detail. We recommend that you provide a detailed overview of your investments, trusts, retirement accounts, inheritances and other assets. If you have specific concerns, don't hesitate to discuss them.

How Does an Attorney Charge for a Prenuptial Agreement?

Some of the costs involved in your prenup can include the following:

Professional Fees

As a blanket rule, you and your future spouse must each have an attorney to prevent conflicts of interest. Fees may include consultations to discuss your needs, drafting the prenuptial agreement, and negotiating with the other party. Professional fees may also include admin costs, such as fees for notarization and filing. 

To avoid paying extra, hire an attorney who charges a flat fee and offers a free consultation. Neptune offers vetted and qualified flat-fee prenup lawyers. You can also reduce the costs by using an online prenup drafting service; this way, the attorney only reviews the contract to ensure it's mistake-free and that both parties are happy. 

Other costs may include professional fees for accountants, tax specialists, and property appraisers. These are optional fees that are only needed if you have a complex asset situation. These professionals can estimate the market value of your assets and discuss their tax implications. 

Negotiation

Working with an experienced attorney to draft and finalize the prenuptial agreement is crucial to determining whether both parties can meet halfway. In some cases, negotiation time can take longer, especially when both parties own many assets. For attorneys who charge per hour, this can increase the total cost involved. Couples can discuss their needs before speaking to the attorneys to reduce the billable hours or total cost.

Neptune is a prenup concierge service that can help you save money by talking you through some of the more important parts of your prenup. This helps reduce the time you have to pay for the attorneys. Neptune also connects you with vetted family attorneys who have preferential rates and offer transparent pricing and free consultations, saving you even more. 

Complexity of the Prenup

Do you own several stocks and multiple properties? Drafting the prenup for couples with various assets can be complex and may take longer. Discussing business ownership and other valuable assets may cost more and take more time. Some couples may also ask for special clauses such as spousal support, so expect the attorney to spend more time working your prenup. As a result, the cost may increase. This is where transparent pricing and flat fees can really come in and reduce the overall costs involved. 

Location

Where you live can affect the cost of getting a prenuptial agreement. Attorneys in big cities and prime areas like New York and California charge more for their services. Their expertise also affects the price. Expect to pay more when the attorney has years of experience. This is one of the biggest price fluctuations you will find. 

If the attorney has a well-proven track record and years of experience and was featured in a magazine, for example, you can expect to pay more than you would for an attorney fresh out of school or just building their client list. 

How to Save Money Getting a Prenup

Getting a prenup can be expensive, but you can apply some of our cost-saving strategies to reduce the final cost. Here's how you can reduce the cost of getting a prenuptial agreement:

1. Look for a platform that can match you with the right attorneys offering their services for a flat fee. Hourly rates and retainers can be costly, especially when the agreement requires more negotiation or discussion time.
2. Outline all your assets and liabilities to reduce the time an attorney spends drafting or editing the prenuptial agreement. 
3. Organize your finances ahead of time and be as transparent as possible, including property appraisals, tax returns, and financial statements, to reduce billable hours (if the attorney charges hourly rates).
4. Healthy couples discuss prenups because they want to alleviate future stress and build a stronger financial future. With a legally binding agreement, both partners have complete control over how their assets will be distributed, offering peace of mind.

Protect Your Assets

Do you need help with your prenuptial agreement? Connect with Neptune to discuss the process. The process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let Neptune simplify it. 

We make things easier and can save you time and money by connecting you with vetted attorneys and talking you through some of the more important parts of your prenup. Being prepared is one of the best things you can do with your partner as you step into the world of prenuptial agreements. The more educated you are about the process, the more money you can save. 

If you are ready to get started and want to learn more about your options, contact Neptune today. If you want to move forward, we can begin the process of matching you with the right attorneys.