Your Ultimate Prenup Preparation Checklist (2025 Edition)

Why This Checklist Matters

Thinking about a prenup? Smart move. Whether you're a business owner, have kids from a prior relationship, or don't want to argue over crypto wallets in 2045, this checklist is your calm-before-the-lawyer storm.

A prenup isn't about mistrust. It's about clarity, protection, and starting marriage with your eyes wide open. Here's how to prep without stress, confusion, or accidentally invalidating the whole thing.

Before you start calling lawyers, see how the AI Prenup Advisor works and how it helps you prep faster.

Pre-Conversation Prep (a.k.a. Know Your Numbers & Goals)

✅ Get Real With Your Finances

• Document all income sources, including W-2, 1099, dividends, etc.

• List your assets: property, bank accounts, stocks, business equity, and collectibles.

• Don’t forget the debts: student loans, mortgages, business liabilities.

✅ Identify What You Want to Protect

• Business ownership? Inheritance? Future royalties from that screenplay you swear you’ll finish?

• Decide what should stay yours (pre-marital) and what you're open to sharing.

✅ Understand Your State’s Default Divorce Laws

• Know what happens without a prenup — it’s often messier and more expensive.

• Research if your state is community property or equitable distribution.

✅ Prep the Big Prenup Questions to Ask Your Partner

• How do you feel about keeping pre-marital assets separate?

• What should happen with debt acquired during marriage?

• If one of us takes time off to raise kids, how do we make that fair?

• Should we agree to mediate before litigating?

During The Conversation (a.k.a. Don’t Make It Weird)

✅ Pick the Right Moment (and Mood)

• Not during a fight. Not while packing for the honeymoon. Try a quiet evening or during financial planning chats.

✅ Use Language That Invites, Not Attacks

• Say: "I want us to both feel secure, no matter what."

• Avoid: "My lawyer says I need you to sign this."

✅ Frame It As a Team Decision

• Discuss shared goals: protecting kids, shielding each other from debt, and defining fairness.

• Consider what protections they might need, too.

✅ Be Honest About Future Changes

• Life evolves. A good prenup can evolve, too — talk about reviewing it every few years.

Post-Talk Follow-Ups (a.k.a. Avoid Mistakes That Invalidate Your Prenup)

✅ Avoid Pressure or Deadlines

• Signing too close to the wedding? Red flag. Courts don’t like duress.

✅ Get Independent Legal Advice (for both of you)

• One lawyer can’t represent both parties, even if you agree on everything.

✅ Put Everything in Writing (Clearly!)

• Vague or verbal agreements don’t hold up. Use specific, plain language.

✅ Revisit It Before Major Life Changes

• Kids, career shifts, or big inheritances = time to update your prenup.

Want to know exactly which clauses matter for your situation? The AI Prenup Advisor takes your info (not your soul) and gives you:

• Smart questions to bring up

• Clauses that match your goals

• Red flags to avoid

Zero legal fees until you’re ready.

This kind of planning isn’t weird anymore — more couples are doing it, and for good reason.

Remember: A prenup isn’t just protection — it’s a sign you care enough to prepare. And preparation beats panic every time.