For engineering managers
Prenups for engineering managers
As your career grows from IC into management, your compensation shifts dramatically toward equity: RSU grants, annual refreshers, and promotion bumps. A prenup can help you and your partner address how that evolving compensation picture is handled.
Flat fee of $5,000 per couple. No payment to get started.
The dual ladder
The management-track equity picture
Engineering manager compensation shifts heavily toward equity at senior levels. The higher you climb, the larger the share of your total compensation that comes in the form of stock.
As equity becomes the majority of your compensation, questions about how it is characterized in a marriage become more consequential. A prenup written when you are at L5 should still account for where you are heading.
Critical moments
Why timing matters
Initial RSU grant
Shares granted before marriage but vesting during the marriage may raise questions about characterization. Your attorney can help you address how these are treated based on the grant date versus the vest date.
Annual refresher grants
Refresher grants received during marriage are typically new compensation, distinct from your initial hire grant. Your attorney can help clarify how your jurisdiction treats grants issued during the marriage.
Promotion equity bumps
A promotion to senior management often comes with a substantial equity increase. Your attorney can help you address how mid-marriage compensation changes are handled in the agreement.
How Neptune works
Three steps, one agreement
Walk through your compensation
Neptune’s guided intake covers RSU grants, refreshers, vesting schedules, and bonus structures in plain language.
Each partner gets their own attorney
Two separate, licensed attorneys review your situation independently. Each partner has counsel focused on their interests.
Receive your agreement
Your attorney drafts an agreement that addresses your equity compensation structure. Typically around 3 to 4 weeks when both partners use Neptune attorneys.
Transparent pricing
$5,000
per couple, flat fee
$3,000 drafting attorney + $2,000 reviewing attorney. No payment to get started. Rush pricing applies when the wedding is within 45 days.
Questions from engineering managers
What happens to RSU grants I received before marriage?
Your attorney can review how pre-marital grants are characterized, including shares that vest during the marriage but were granted before.
How are refresher grants handled?
Annual refresher grants received during marriage may be treated differently from your initial grant. Your attorney can help clarify how your jurisdiction approaches this distinction.
Does a promotion equity bump during marriage change things?
A substantial equity increase from a promotion can raise questions about classification. Your attorney can help you address how mid-marriage compensation changes are handled.
What about my equity if my company goes public during the marriage?
An IPO creates a liquidity event that may affect how pre-marital shares are valued. Your attorney can help you plan for this possibility.
How is RSU compensation valued when it fluctuates?
The value of stock-based compensation changes with market conditions. Your attorney can help you address valuation timing and methodology.