The Pros and Cons of a Prenup

Drafting a prenuptial agreement, or prenup, might not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a life together, but it’s a practical and empowering way to start essential talks about your financial future. 

When you and your partner understand the pros and cons of a prenup, you’re best positioned to make educated financial decisions and build a relationship around money rooted in transparency and trust.

That’s where Neptune comes in. Neptune helps couples create thoughtful and legally sound prenups, offering support at every step so you don't have to figure it out alone.

What Is a Prenup?

A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract between two people before marriage. It lays out each partner’s rights and responsibilities around finances, from what’s shared to what stays separate.

Prenups aren’t just for the ultra-wealthy. With more couples entering marriage with equity, property, inheritance, or business interests, these agreements help clarify expectations and avoid future misunderstandings.

At its core, a prenup isn’t about distrust. It’s about building your relationship on transparency, fairness, and mutual respect.

What Can Be Included in a Prenup?

Couples today are up to 6x more likely to get a prenup than 15 years ago. But the legal process hasn’t caught up. It's still confusing, expensive, and emotionally loaded.

Neptune makes this process feel more human. With expert guidance and a focus on communication, Neptune helps you and your partner align before lawyers get involved.

A prenup can include:

• Assets each person brings to the partnership
• Property you'd like to keep separate
• Business interests, including startup equity
• Existing debt, like student loans or credit cards
• Provisions for children from previous relationships (if any)

Pros of a Prenup

1. Open Up the Conversation About Finances

Talking about finances with your partner might not be the most fun thing on your wedding to-do list, especially when it involves laying everything out on the table. But at the core of it, a prenup gives you both a chance to have those tough conversations before saying, “I do.”

A prenup gives couples a chance to be open about your assets, debts, spending habits, and financial goals. Not only does this build trust, but it also helps you better understand each other’s approach to finances.

2. Clarity on Premarital Assets

A prenup can help partners decide which assets or properties will stay separate and which ones might be shared. For example, two partners can discuss how they want to purchase a marital home. One partner may have their parents contribute to the downpayment and set aside a clause in the prenup to protect that contribution in the case of separation. 

3. Managing Debt

Sometimes, a partner enters a relationship with a significant amount of debt. With a prenup, you both already know who’s responsible for such debts, especially if things don’t work out. Oftentimes, couples take the stance of separating the debts they acquire during marriage. For example, if your partner were to acquire student debt during your marriage, you can draw a clear line on who owns the debt. You and your partner are likely to feel more secure when you both know where you stand on debt from the beginning.

4. Avoiding Surprises

Life is unpredictable, and surprises can pop up when you least expect them. With a prenup, you can outline future finances before marriage. This way, if things take an unexpected turn, you won’t be caught off guard. When you and your partner craft a solid agreement up front, you can both tackle whatever life throws your way with confidence.

5. Securing Children’s Interests

If you or your partner have children from previous relationships, a prenup can help you plan for their future together. It allows you to work together to ensure their inheritance is sorted in a way that feels fair to everyone and that their needs are front and center if anything unexpected happens. 

6. Fairness in Parenting Responsibilities

Raising children requires a team effort. If one of you plans to give up a career to stay home to raise the children, a prenup can help you figure out how to share the financial responsibilities in a way that feels fair for both of you. While a prenup cannot have any clauses around child custody or child support, it’s great for outlining how you view each other’s contribution to building a family.

Cons of a Prenup

1. May Not Hold Up in Court

In some cases, a prenup might not hold up in court. This can happen if one person didn’t fully disclose their finances or if the agreement seems unfair or was signed under pressure. To make sure your prenup is legally sound and enforceable, it’s extremely important to work with an experienced family law attorney.

2. Legal Fees and Complexity

The role of an attorney is to guide you through the nuances of the prenuptial agreement, and this expertise is well worth the investment.

However, in the world of family law, some lawyers may prioritize maximizing fees over building trust, knowing they’re unlikely to have recurring clients. This approach can result in unnecessarily high costs. That’s where Neptune can help. With Neptune, you can save money by connecting with trusted lawyers who offer flat-rate pricing, so you don’t have to worry about being overcharged.

Take the Next Step With Neptune

By combining emotionally intelligent AI, vetted family lawyers, and transparent pricing, Neptune replaces tension with trust,  turning a traditionally fraught process into a moment of financial alignment.

Couples walk away with more than legal protection. They leave with a blueprint to grow wealth and invest in their partnership from day one.

Ready to get started? Chat with Neptune today.