prenuptial agreement

[ pree-nuhp-shuhl uh-gree-muhnt, ‐chuhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Law.

Also Informal, prenup. a contract between two people who are about to marry regarding their respective property and support rights upon termination of the marriage by divorce or death, and sometimes regarding property rights during the marriage.

prenuptial agreement

noun

a contract made between a man and woman before they marry, agreeing on the distribution of their assets in the event of divorce

Discover More

More About Prenuptial Agreement

What is a prenuptial agreement?

A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract entered into by a couple before marriage that specifies things like the division of their finances and assets, especially in case the marriage ends, such as through divorce.

The word prenuptial means before marriage. Prenuptial agreements are far more commonly referred to with the informal term prenup.

Every prenuptial agreement is different based on what the couple wants it to include. Most prenups cover things like which member of the couple is entitled to certain portions of property, inheritance, and savings, or which member is responsible for certain things, such as debt.

The popular opinion about prenuptial agreements has traditionally been quite negative—many people view them as pessimistic and associate their use with rich celebrities who marry people who aren’t as rich. Plus, no one who’s about to get married likes to admit that there’s a possibility that the marriage might not work out. However, many people consider it good sense to enter into a prenup, and many legal advisors recommend them, especially since deciding how to split up assets during a divorce can be extremely strained.

Example: Everyone thought it was strange that we had a prenuptial agreement, but life is unpredictable.

Where does prenuptial agreement come from?

The word prenuptial is composed of the prefix pre–, meaning “before,” and the word nuptial, meaning “of or relating to marriage.”

The first records of the term prenuptial agreement come from the late 1800s.

The word prenup has been used as a shortened form of prenuptial agreement since at least the 1980s.

Did you know ... ?

What are some synonyms for prenuptial agreement?

What are some words that share a root or word element with prenuptial agreement?

What are some words that often get used in discussing prenuptial agreement?

How is prenuptial agreement used in real life?

Prenuptial agreements are much more commonly called prenups. The popular opinion about prenups has traditionally been negative, but many people view signing a prenup as good sense.

🎧 You might think prenuptial agreements are just for the wealthy, but #Millennials are signing 'prenups' when they marry for a lot more reasons than just money. @WSJ's @CherylMunk fills us in. It's free to listen. https://t.co/lFNDFdXivh

— J.R. Whalen (@jrwhalen) February 16, 2021

I’m no where close to being married. At all. But, I don’t understand why people get so offended about a prenuptial agreement? You’re protecting yourself and your best interests. Maybe I’ll understand if I ever fall in love and get engaged…🤷🏻‍♀️

— Raven Smith (@wh0axitsraven) February 11, 2021

Are you planning to pop the question this Valentine’s Day? If so you might wish to consider having a conversation about a prenuptial agreement. It may sound unromantic, but a prenup can help you plan and protect your future together. Find out more https://t.co/pdf15hbz1z #ABDlaw pic.twitter.com/qw1m1uOhgC

— Awdry Bailey & Douglas (@Awdry1750) February 12, 2021

Try using prenuptial agreement!

Which of the following things might be included in a prenuptial agreement?

A. division of assets
B. assignment of rights to physical property
C. assignment of responsibility for debt
D. all of the above

prenuptial preoccupancy

Browse