The start of a new year is a time for fresh starts, meaningful resolutions, and exciting life changes. For many couples, it’s also the season of engagements, wedding planning, and setting the foundation for a lifelong partnership. Increasingly, couples getting married in the new year are adding one important conversation to their to-do list: Should we have a prenuptial agreement?
As a New York family law attorney, mediator and prenuptial agreement specialist with a unique medically based and psychologically informed approach, I tell couples this conversation is one of the healthiest discussions couples can have before marriage.
When I met with a newly engaged couple recently I told them “A prenuptial agreement isn’t about mistrust or expecting a marriage to fail. It’s about transparency, informed decision-making, and protecting both partners so you can both enter marriage feeling secure and respected.”
Once viewed as unromantic or unnecessary, prenuptial agreements have become a modern planning tool embraced by couples who value communication, fairness, and long-term stability.
Why Prenuptial Agreements Are More Popular Than Ever
Today’s couples are entering marriage with more life experience, and often more assets than previous generations. Many are marrying later in life, building careers, owning property, or blending families.
I regularly work with engaged couple who want to address financial issues before they turn into stress points during marriage.
Money is one of the leading sources of conflict in relationships. A prenuptial agreement allows couples to talk through expectations calmly and thoughtfully, rather than leaving those issues to be decided later in a crisis.
A prenuptial agreement helps couples:
- Clearly define financial expectations before marriage
- Protect assets acquired before the relationship
- Reduce future conflict and misunderstandings
- Encourage honest conversations about money
- Create peace of mind for both partners
Rather than planning for divorce, a prenup is about planning for clarity for the future.
Getting Married in the New Year? Why Timing Matters
The period between engagement and wedding is one of the best times to create a prenuptial agreement. Couples are typically:
- Communicating openly about finances
- Making joint decisions about their future
- Focused on long-term stability
Starting the new year with a prenup allows couples to enter marriage aligned and informed, instead of leaving important questions unanswered.
Prenuptial Agreements Are Especially Important If You:
- Own a home or real estate
- Have savings, investments, or retirement accounts
- Own a business or professional practice
- Have children from a prior relationship
- Are entering a second or later marriage
- Expect future inheritances
- Have unequal income or debt
In these situations, a prenuptial agreement helps protect both partners and any children involved.
What Can a Prenuptial Agreement Include?
One of the biggest misconceptions about prenups is that they are rigid or impersonal. In reality, a well-drafted prenuptial agreement is highly customized to the couple’s circumstances.
When I draft a prenuptial agreement I make sure to address:
- How property and assets are classified
- How debts are handled
- Protection of premarital assets
- Business ownership interests
- Inheritance rights
- Financial responsibilities during marriage
- How assets would be divided if the marriage ends
I like to tell skeptics. “Prenups strengthen relationships. They don’t weaken them!”
Couples who create prenuptial agreements often report that the process:
- Improves communication
- Builds trust
- Reduces anxiety around finances
- Creates a sense of partnership and fairness
When handled respectfully and professionally, a prenup becomes a relationship-strengthening conversation, not a source of conflict.
Marriage is both an emotional and financial partnership. Entering it with clear expectations helps couples focus on what truly matters in building a life together.
As you plan your wedding and your future, a prenuptial agreement can be one of the most empowering decisions you make.
My unique legal/medical background allows me to guide couples through important discussions in a way that reduces anxiety, encourages cooperation, and supports healthy communication.
If you’re planning a wedding and want to start your marriage in the new year with clarity and confidence, scheduling a free consultation with me right now can help you understand your options and create an agreement that truly supports your future together. Call 212.734.1551.
I look forward to answering all your questions and guiding you in the right direction.
Warmly,
Lois