When drafting a prenup, women should focus on areas that reflect the individual and collective goals shared with their partners. This can include long-term plans around premarital and community assets, startup equity, business ownership, and spousal support. Spousal support, in particular, is an important consideration, especially if you are planning on having children.
Getting married is a celebration of love and commitment, but it comes with its challenges, especially when partners navigate differences in communication styles, financial habits and expectations for the future. For many couples, the prenup discussion is a meaningful opportunity to plan your finances with clarity and build a shared understanding of your future as a team.
At Neptune, we believe the most important part of a prenup is the conversation you have with your partner before involving any lawyers. Aligning your priorities early can save time, reduce stress, and lay a strong foundation for your future. So, what should a woman ask for in a prenup? Here’s a guide to help you with this important step.
Key Takeaway: Start Your Stress-Free Prenup Journey with NeptuneAsk Your Prenup Question
A strong prenuptial agreement outlines various aspects of your financial relationship, including how you and your partner will handle everything from property and debts to ensuring support and security for one another.
While discussing a prenup might feel uncomfortable, it’s important to recognize that they’re not just for the super wealthy or those with complicated finances. Prenups cover important areas such as:
Ready to talk to a Lawyer? Schedule a Consultation Today.Book a Free Lawyer Consult
Many women today view prenups as a proactive way to ensure transparency in finances and plan for the future. As more and more women are a part of dual-income earning partnerships, the old stereotypes of prenups start to lose their relevance —prenups aren’t rooted in mistrust or expecting the worst. Instead, they create space for you and your partner to have honest, sometimes challenging conversations. They allow you to set clear expectations and approach your financial future with mutual respect and alignment.
While protection of assets in prenups is common knowledge for many, what’s often overlooked is that they allow you to address decisions that impact your children’s inheritance and can outline how assets are handled in the event of death.
Addressing these points early gives you and your partner peace of mind and clarity during life’s toughest moments. It also avoids misunderstandings and builds a stronger partnership based on trust.
Approaching the topic of prenuptial agreements can be empowering when framed as a proactive step in financial planning. Here’s a list of key considerations to include in your prenup, designed to promote transparency and mutual respect between you and your partner.
Transparency of financial assets is one of the first and most important steps. You and your partner should openly share your assets and debts. This important first step builds trust and sets the stage for clear financial communication. And while this helps both individuals understand each other's finances without any surprises, this is required by law for an enforceable prenup.
If you have valuable assets, it’s usually a good idea to specify how they will be managed within your relationship. Some of the most common premarital assets that are protected in prenups are real property - e.g. a home you live in or rental property, family businesses, and startup equity. Doing this allows you and your partner to be on the same page about the importance and role of these assets in your shared future.
Discussing spousal support is an important aspect of financial planning. If one of you plans to take time off work or care for family duties, talking about support expectations can help both of you feel secure and appreciated. Setting these terms upfront can ease the potential stress later and keep things running smoothly.
Talking about how you’ll handle debts—whether they were there before or come up during your relationship—might not be the most romantic topic, but it’s a crucial part of financial planning. Prenups help outline what each partner is responsible for, making sure you both know who’s in charge of what. This is a proactive approach that helps avoid surprises and sets the foundation for a financially secure future together.
If you own a business or plan to start one during your relationship, it’s wise to outline how your business interests will be integrated into your financial plan. This makes sure you and your partner are clear about your expectations on the existing value of the business and any future expected appreciation in the business. This is especially relevant for startup equity, whether you’re a founder or an employee with significant equity stakes. Vested vs. unvested equity, in particular, is important to discuss and hash out in a prenup.
It’s a good idea to clarify how inheritances or significant gifts will be handled in your financial plan. This way, you and your partner can appreciate their value and understand how they fit into your overall financial plan.
If you create intellectual property—such as patents, trademarks, or creative works—it’s worth including provisions that outline the handling of these contributions. This shows that you value each other’s talents and creativity while making sure you both understand who owns what and how it can be used.
A prenuptial agreement ensures you and your partner are aligned and ready for your future together. It encourages open conversation about your shared goals and how you’ll manage life’s ups and downs as a team. Neptune makes the process easier by connecting you with trusted family law attorneys who can guide you through the details.
Ready to see if a prenup is right for you? Chat with Neptune today, and if you decide to move forward, we’ll match you with the right attorney for your needs.
Creating a solid base for your future starts with honest conversation and sound legal advice. With Neptune, you can confidently take the next step toward securing your financial well-being and your relationship.