For physicians and doctors getting married
A prenup for the full arc of a medical career
Most physicians marry before they reach their earning potential, often carrying significant student debt and on a path toward practice ownership. A prenup can address the whole picture, not just today’s assets. Neptune connects you with two independent attorneys and a guided process built for this timeline.
Flat fee of $5,000 per couple. No payment to get started.
Why physicians use prenups
The physician timeline is different
Physicians often marry during residency, earning a modest income while carrying large debt, just before a significant jump in earning power. That deferred-wealth pattern raises distinct planning questions.
- 1
Medical school debt
Many physicians carry $200,000 or more in student debt incurred before marriage. Debt in one party’s name generally stays separate, but income used to repay it during the marriage may be community property in California. A prenup can address debt treatment and repayment.
- 2
Future earning potential as the main asset
During residency, the asset being addressed is often future earning capacity, not existing wealth. A partner who supports the physician through training may have expectations about sharing in that future income; a prenup can address those expectations explicitly.
- 3
The income jump after training
Income can rise sharply when a physician finishes residency and joins a practice or academic center. A prenup can help clarify how income earned after the wedding is characterized, before that new chapter begins.
- 4
Practice ownership and partnership track
Physicians who join private practices often buy in over time. Practice equity, its appreciation, and goodwill are common sources of dispute. A prenup can address treatment of a future ownership interest.
- 5
Professional liability exposure
Physicians carry malpractice risk even with coverage. A prenup can address how liability exposure interacts with marital assets if one party practices medicine.
- 6
Timing around residency and fellowship
Many physicians marry shortly before or after finishing training, knowing their income is about to change. That makes it a natural moment to get clarity, while debt is high and income is about to rise.
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
Prenup or estate plan first: 2026 decision guide
For couples navigating both a prenup and an estate plan, this guide walks through which to prioritize and when to do both together.
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 physicians
Is my medical school debt separate property?
Debt incurred before the marriage and held in one party’s name generally remains that party’s separate debt. The more complex question is how income earned during the marriage and used to repay it is treated, which in community property states may be community income. A prenup can help clarify how the debt and its repayment are handled. Your attorney can review your specific situation.
I am a resident earning a modest salary. My income will rise sharply soon. Should we do a prenup now or later?
Many physicians address this before the wedding precisely because their income is about to change. A prenup can be put in place during residency and can address how future income, once you finish training, is characterized. Doing it before the wedding is generally cleaner than trying to address it later. Your attorney can walk through the timing with you.
My partner supported me during residency. How is that addressed?
This is a common and important conversation. A prenup lets both partners decide together how contributions, including a partner who worked or paused their own career to support training, are recognized. Each partner works with their own independent attorney, which supports a fair, well-structured agreement that reflects both perspectives.
Can a prenup address future practice buy-in equity?
Yes. If you expect to become a partner or shareholder in a practice, a prenup can address how that future ownership interest, its appreciation, and goodwill are treated. Because the interest may not exist yet, clear language drafted in advance helps. Your attorney can review the structure of your anticipated buy-in.
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.