For Block employees
When your RSUs vest into a stock that moves this much, a prenup needs to address timing
Block stock (ticker XYZ) has a high beta, meaning it moves more than the broader market in both directions. That volatility affects how your RSU grants are valued at each stage: grant, vest, and any future separation. A prenup can establish clear rules for how these timing questions are handled.
Stock ticker
XYZ (NYSE)
Typical RSU vesting
4 years, quarterly after a 1-year cliff
Volatility characteristic
High beta, meaning larger price swings than the broader market
Business segments
Square (merchant services), Cash App (consumer finance), TIDAL (music)
Vesting timeline
How each vesting stage intersects with a marriage
Year 1 (cliff)
25% of your initial grant vests at the one-year mark as a single block. The stock price on that date determines what your vested shares are worth.
If you marry during your cliff year, some or all of this tranche may vest during the marriage. The grant date was before marriage, but the vesting date is after. Your attorney can help address how this is categorized.
Years 2 through 4 (quarterly)
After the cliff, shares vest in quarterly installments (roughly 6.25% per quarter). Each vesting event happens at whatever the stock price is that day.
Quarterly vesting means new shares appear in your account regularly throughout the marriage. A prenup can describe how each quarterly tranche is treated based on when the underlying grant was made.
Refresher grants
Block issues additional RSU grants during employment, typically annually at performance review time. Each new grant starts its own 4-year vesting clock.
Refresher grants made during the marriage are compensation earned during the marriage. A prenup can address these separately from your initial pre-marital grant.
Price swing scenarios
What happens when the stock price moves between key dates
A high-beta stock means the value of your RSUs can change substantially between when you receive a grant and when those shares are actually relevant in a financial planning context.
Stock rises significantly after marriage
Shares that vested at a lower price before marriage are now worth substantially more. The appreciation occurred during the marriage. How that growth is characterized depends on state rules and what your prenup says.
Stock drops after grant but before vesting
Your RSU grant was made at a higher share price, but by the time shares vest, they are worth less. You still receive the same number of shares, just at a lower market value. A prenup can clarify how this is handled.
Stock is volatile throughout the marriage
With high-beta stock, the value of your holdings may swing significantly year to year. A prenup can establish how shares are valued (at vesting, at sale, or at a specific date) to avoid future disputes about timing.
How it works
From guided intake to signed agreement
Walk through your RSU grants
Neptune's guided intake covers your vesting schedule, grant dates, and any equity already vested. No legal jargon required.
Each partner gets their own attorney
Neptune connects each partner with a separate, licensed attorney for a free consultation. Independent counsel supports a fair agreement.
An agreement that accounts for volatility
Your attorney prepares a prenup that addresses vesting timing, price fluctuations, and refresher grants. Turnaround is typically around 3 to 4 weeks when both partners use Neptune attorneys.
Transparent pricing
One flat fee covers both attorneys
No hourly billing, no surprise invoices. Neptune charges a single flat fee that covers your drafting attorney and your partner's reviewing attorney.
$5,000
per couple, total
No payment to get started. Rush pricing applies when the wedding is within 45 days.
Questions from Block employees
How does stock volatility affect a prenup for Block RSUs?
High volatility means the value of your RSU grants can change substantially between the grant date, vesting date, and any future separation date. A prenup can address this by establishing a clear framework for when shares are valued and how price fluctuations are treated. Your attorney can help you think through the timing question.
What happens to RSUs that were granted before marriage but vest after?
This is one of the most common equity questions in a prenup. The grant was earned through work before the marriage, but the shares did not arrive until after the wedding. How this is characterized may depend on where you live. Rules differ by state, and your attorney can review what applies to your situation.
How are refresher grants treated differently from my initial grant?
Refresher grants made during a marriage represent compensation earned during that time. A prenup can distinguish between pre-marital grants (even if still vesting) and new grants issued during the marriage, treating each category according to the terms you agree upon.
Does it matter that Block was formerly called Square?
The company rebranded from Square to Block in 2022 and trades under the ticker XYZ. For prenup purposes, the important thing is the equity structure (RSUs), not the company name. Your attorney will reference the legal entity and ticker in the agreement.
What does it cost and how long does it take?
Neptune charges a flat fee of $5,000 per couple, which covers two independent attorneys (one for each partner). No payment is required to get started, and consultations are free. Turnaround is typically around 3 to 4 weeks when both partners use Neptune attorneys. Rush pricing applies when the wedding is within 45 days.