Why More Millennials Are Including Debt Clauses in Their Prenups

Millennials are rewriting the rules of marriage, especially when it comes to money. They’re marrying later, bringing in more assets and debt, and having direct conversations about finances early on.

Neptune Insight: 35% of prenups filed by Neptune users include clauses about individual debt responsibility.

From student loans to side hustles and credit cards, younger couples are carrying more financial complexity into marriage. Prenups are no longer taboo, they’re a practical tool for navigating emotional financial conversations and decisions. Neptune can help by offering modern, thoughtful prenups that give couples clarity, protection, and peace of mind from day one.

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Why Debt Clauses Are on the Rise

The average millennial borrower still owes over $37,000 in student loan debt. Meanwhile, data from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (Q4 2024) shows that millennials carry an average credit card balance of $6,932.

Add in early-stage businesses, freelance income, or investments, and you’ve got a lot more to sort through than just who pays the electricity bill.

Debt clauses help by clearly spelling out:

• Which debts stay separate, like student loans or personal credit cards
• What kinds of debt, if any, will be jointly handled during the marriage
• Who’s on the hook if one partner takes on a new business or liability

What Happens Without One

Without a solid prenup consisting of a debt clause, state laws decide for you. In most places, debt taken on during the marriage can become shared, even if it’s in just one person’s name.

In community property states like California, Texas, and Washington, that could mean a 50:50 split of all marital debt, unless a prenup says otherwise.

Transparency Is the New Norm

Millennials value financial honesty. Nearly 40% of millennial couples say they talk about money every day. Compare that to just 13% of Baby Boomers, and it’s clear: open money talk is a defining trait of modern relationships.

Prenups are becoming part of that honesty. They allow couples to plan without assumptions, reduce risk, and avoid future surprises.

Lay the Groundwork with Neptune

Including a debt clause isn’t about predicting a breakup. It’s about protecting both partners and being realistic about what you’re bringing into the marriage.

Neptune helps modern couples create prenups that reflect today’s financial realities clearly, calmly, and with long-term goals in mind. Build a stronger financial foundation with Neptune. 

Start the conversation with Neptune today.