Prenuptial Agreements: Planning for a Stronger Marriage, Not a Weaker One
For many years, prenuptial agreements carried a stigma.
They were often viewed as something only the ultra-wealthy needed or as a sign that one partner wasn't fully committed to the marriage. After all, who wants to discuss the possibility of divorce while planning a wedding?
Fortunately, that perception is beginning to change.
More couples—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are choosing to sign prenuptial agreements before marriage. It's not necessarily because they expect their marriage to fail. Rather, they recognize that thoughtful financial planning and open communication can strengthen a relationship from the very beginning.
At Stordahl Capital Management, we believe that's exactly the right perspective.
A Prenup Is Really a Financial Planning Document
At its core, a prenuptial agreement is simply a legal agreement that allows two people to decide how certain financial matters will be handled during marriage and, if necessary, in the event of divorce or death.
It can clarify issues such as:
Which assets remain separate property.
How assets acquired during the marriage will be treated.
Responsibility for existing or future debts.
Ownership of a family business.
Whether spousal support would apply in certain circumstances.
Every couple's situation is different, which is why a prenup should never be viewed as a one-size-fits-all document. Instead, it should reflect each couple's unique financial circumstances and long-term goals.
Why Prenups Are Becoming More Common
People are simply entering marriage under different circumstances than previous generations.
Many couples are marrying later in life after establishing successful careers, accumulating investment accounts, purchasing homes, or starting businesses. Others bring significant student loans or children from previous relationships into the marriage.
As financial lives become more complex, so does the value of planning ahead.
A prenuptial agreement allows couples to address these issues while everyone is communicating openly and making decisions together—not years later during an emotionally difficult situation.
It's About Clarity, Not Distrust
One of the biggest misconceptions about prenups is that they signal a lack of trust.
In reality, they often encourage exactly the opposite.
Creating a prenup requires each person to fully disclose their financial situation. Assets, liabilities, income, business interests, and financial expectations are all placed on the table.
That transparency often leads to conversations many couples should have regardless of whether they ever sign a prenup.
Questions like:
How will household expenses be shared?
What are our long-term financial goals?
How should inheritances be treated?
What happens if one spouse pauses a career to raise children?
How much financial independence should each spouse maintain?
Those aren't uncomfortable conversations.
They're important conversations.
The Conversation May Be the Greatest Benefit
One of the most overlooked benefits of a prenuptial agreement has nothing to do with the document itself.
It has to do with the conversations.
Creating a prenup requires couples to discuss assets, debts, income, spending habits, future inheritances, career plans, family responsibilities, and long-term financial goals. Those are conversations every engaged couple should have—whether they ever sign a prenup or not.
In our experience, many couples spend far more time planning their wedding than planning their financial life together. A prenup encourages transparency from the very beginning and often becomes the first truly comprehensive financial planning discussion of the marriage.
That doesn't weaken a relationship. It strengthens it.
A Valuable Tool for Business Owners and Blended Families
Prenuptial agreements can be particularly valuable for individuals with more complex financial lives.
If you own a business, a prenup can help distinguish ownership interests that existed before marriage and establish expectations for future growth.
If you're entering a second marriage, a prenup can complement your estate plan by helping preserve assets intended for children from a previous relationship while also providing financial security for your new spouse.
Likewise, individuals expecting a future inheritance may wish to clarify that those assets remain separate property.
These situations aren't uncommon—and thoughtful planning today can help prevent misunderstandings later.
A Prenup Doesn't Replace an Estate Plan
One common misconception is that a prenup eliminates the need for estate planning.
It doesn't.
A prenuptial agreement and an estate plan serve different purposes, but they often work best together.
Your will, trusts, beneficiary designations, and powers of attorney should all coordinate with the terms of your prenuptial agreement to ensure your wishes are carried out as intended.
Reviewing these documents together can help reduce confusion and minimize the potential for future family disputes.
Is a Prenup Right for You?
Not every couple needs a prenuptial agreement.
For some, state law may already accomplish what they hope to achieve.
For others—particularly business owners, individuals with substantial assets, blended families, significant inheritances, or later-in-life marriages—a prenup may provide valuable clarity and protection.
The key is understanding your options before you walk down the aisle.
The Bottom Line
The best financial planning happens before problems arise.
That's true whether you're saving for retirement, purchasing insurance, creating an estate plan—or getting married.
A prenuptial agreement isn't about planning for divorce.
It's about creating clarity, encouraging honest conversations, protecting both spouses, and establishing a shared understanding of your financial future together.
Like so many areas of financial planning, the process of creating the plan can be just as valuable as the document itself.
If you're engaged, planning a second marriage, or simply wondering whether a prenuptial agreement makes sense for your situation, we invite you to schedule a complimentary 15-minute call. We'll help you understand where a prenup fits within your overall financial and estate plan and, if appropriate, coordinate with your attorney to ensure everything works together.
A Weekly Perspective on Planning and Markets
Each week, we share The Week in Review — a short collection of articles on
financial planning and wealth management, along with a brief overview for context.
One email per week. No promotions, no sales – just clarity.
This material was written in collaboration with artificial intelligence (ChatGPT) and derived from sources believed to be correct.
Stordahl Capital Management, Inc is a Registered Investment Adviser. This commentary is solely for informational purposes and reflects the personal opinions, viewpoints, and analyses of Stordahl Capital Management, Inc. and should not be regarded as a description of advisory services or performance returns of any SCM Clients. The views reflected in the commentary are subject to change at any time without notice. Nothing in this piece constitutes investment advice, performance data or any recommendation that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Stordahl Capital Management and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered by Stordahl Capital Management unless a client service agreement is in place. Stordahl Capital Management, Inc provides links for your convenience to websites produced by other providers or industry-related material. Accessing websites through links directs you away from our website. Stordahl Capital Management is not responsible for errors or omissions in the material on third-party websites and does not necessarily approve of or endorse the information provided. Users who gain access to third-party websites may be subject to the copyright and other restrictions on use imposed by those providers and assume responsibility and risk from the use of those websites. Please note that trading instructions through email, fax, or voicemail will not be taken. Your identity and timely retrieval of instructions cannot be guaranteed. Stordahl Capital Management, Inc. manages its clients’ accounts using a variety of investment techniques and strategies, which are not necessarily discussed in the commentary. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.