For Amazon employees getting married
Amazon’s vesting is backloaded. Your prenup should account for it.
Most Amazon RSUs vest in years 3 and 4, so the timing of your marriage relative to your vesting schedule matters more than at most companies. Neptune connects you with two independent attorneys and a guided process designed for exactly this situation.
Flat fee of $5,000 per couple. No payment to get started.
Why Amazon equity is different
The 5/15/40/40 schedule changes the calculation
Amazon’s RSU vesting is among the most backloaded at any major tech company. Understanding how it works is the first step to addressing it in a prenup.
- 1
Year 1: only 5% vests
In your first year, just 5% of a four-year RSU grant vests; the remaining 95% is still ahead. If you marry in year 1, nearly all of that equity will vest during the marriage.
- 2
Years 3 and 4: 40% each
The bulk of an Amazon grant arrives in the third and fourth years, the opposite of how most tech companies structure vesting. This directly affects how a prenup should address unvested stock.
- 3
Pre-marital grants vest during the marriage
A grant made before the wedding can still vest mostly during the marriage. Under California default rules, the portion that vests during the marriage may be treated as community property even though the grant predates the wedding.
- 4
Sign-on grants have their own schedule
Many Amazon employees receive a separate sign-on equity grant that vests over one or two years, on a different schedule than the base grant. These should be addressed separately in any agreement.
- 5
Refreshes add new layers each year
Employees in good standing often receive annual refresh grants, each with its own four-year schedule. A prenup can include language covering future grants so each refresh does not need to be handled separately.
- 6
Where you live affects the framework
Amazon’s Seattle headquarters means many employees live outside California, and the rules for dividing property differ from state to state. The framework for addressing unvested RSUs can vary depending on where you live, and a prenup can help clarify how yours are treated regardless of state defaults.
How Neptune works
From first question to signed agreement
Step 1
Get aligned with guided intake
Answer questions about your finances, equity, and goals as a couple. Neptune’s guided intake helps both partners get clear on what matters before any legal work begins.
- Talk through equity, debt, and priorities
- Surface the conversations that matter early
- Walk in prepared, not starting from a blank page
Step 2
Work with two independent attorneys
Neptune connects each partner with a separate, licensed attorney for a free consultation. One attorney represents you; a different attorney represents your partner. No payment is required until you decide to move forward.
- A separate attorney for each partner
- Free consultations before you commit
- Independent counsel supports a fair agreement
Step 3
Review, finalize, and sign
Your drafting attorney prepares an agreement based on your situation, and your partner’s reviewing attorney reviews it with them independently. Turnaround is typically around 3 to 4 weeks when both partners use Neptune attorneys, though this can vary.
- A tailored agreement, not a template
- Independent review for your partner
- Concierge support through signing
Transparent pricing
One flat fee. Two independent attorneys.
$5,000
per couple, total
Rush pricing applies when the wedding is within 45 days. Complexity factors may affect the final fee.
Start your prenupGuides and resources
Read more before you begin
How to handle RSUs and options in a prenup
A practical breakdown of how RSUs, stock options, and vesting schedules are treated in prenup agreements and what to address before drafting begins.
Read the guidePrenup and estate plan cost: state-by-state 2026
A breakdown of what prenups and estate plans typically cost across different states, and how Neptune’s flat-fee model compares to hourly billing.
Read the guideCommon questions from Amazon employees
What happens to RSUs that vest during our marriage?
It depends on your state and what your prenup says. The rules for dividing property acquired during a marriage differ from state to state, so RSUs that vest during the marriage may be treated differently depending on where you live, even if the grant was awarded before the wedding. A prenup can help clarify how vesting that occurs during the marriage is characterized, so you are not relying on state-law defaults, and your attorney can review what applies in your situation.
I am in year 1 at Amazon. Is this urgent?
Getting a prenup in place before the wedding is worth prioritizing regardless of where you are in your vesting schedule. For Amazon employees in years 1 or 2, the stakes are higher because most equity is still ahead and will vest during the marriage. Neptune’s turnaround is typically around 3 to 4 weeks when both partners use Neptune attorneys, so starting early helps.
Does it matter if I am in Seattle versus California?
It can. The rules for dividing property differ from state to state, so the framework for addressing unvested Amazon RSUs can vary depending on where you live. A prenup lets you set out how your equity is treated rather than relying on state-law defaults, and your attorney can review what applies to your situation.
My RSU grant was awarded before I proposed. Does that matter?
It can. A grant awarded before the marriage is a pre-marital asset, but shares that vest after the wedding may receive different treatment under state law. Amazon’s backloaded schedule means even a grant received well before the wedding can result in most shares vesting during the marriage. A prenup can help clarify how the timing of the grant and the timing of vesting are treated.
What does Neptune cost and how long does it take?
Neptune’s prenup is a flat fee of $5,000 per couple, covering two independent attorneys: $3,000 for the drafting attorney and $2,000 for the reviewing attorney. Rush pricing applies when the wedding is within 45 days, and complexity factors may affect the final fee. Turnaround is typically around 3 to 4 weeks when both partners use Neptune attorneys.