Key facts
- Prenuptial agreements are on the rise, especially among younger couples in the US and UK.
- In the US, nearly half of married millennials and over a third of Gen Z report having a prenup.
- In the UK, around one in ten couples now has a prenup, with one in three married under-35s having signed one.
- Lawyers are seeing increased demand from entrepreneurs, influencers, and 'every-day' couples, often to protect inherited wealth.
- Online platforms offer more affordable and faster routes to obtaining prenups compared to traditional legal services.
Prenuptial agreements are experiencing a surge in popularity, moving beyond the realm of the ultra-wealthy to become a common consideration for everyday couples, particularly those in younger generations. This trend is driven by a desire for financial transparency, protection of assets, and a pragmatic approach to marriage.
Celine Tsoi and Charles Mock, who met two years ago, decided to get a prenup shortly after their engagement. Despite modest wealth differences, they wanted to discuss important financial questions while their relationship was strong. Celine highlighted that the conversation itself can reveal a lot about a partner's approach to finances and commitment.
In the US, research indicates that nearly half of married millennials and over a third of Gen Z have prenups, with approximately one in five married couples overall possessing one. In the UK, about one in ten couples now have prenups, with a significant increase among those under 35.
Lawyers like Mark Gilmartin have seen a substantial rise in demand over the past 18 months, noting a shift from traditional wealthy clients to 'start-up professionals,' entrepreneurs, and influencers. He also observes a growing trend among 'every-day' couples seeking to protect inherited wealth.
Becca Gibson, from West Sussex, is getting married with a prenup to safeguard her expected inheritance from her parents. Despite her first marriage ending poorly, she views the prenup as a fair way to handle finances, especially given her children from a previous marriage and her fiancé Dave Howells' higher income. Dave, a finance professional, acknowledges the unromantic nature of prenups but emphasizes pragmatism, given divorce statistics.
Lawyers attribute the rise in prenups to a desire to avoid repeating painful past separations or witnessing difficult divorces among parents. The increasing accessibility and affordability of prenups, partly due to online platforms, have also contributed to their wider adoption. Julia Rodgers, co-founder of HelloPrenup, notes that couples marrying later often have more assets to protect, including student debt, businesses, or homes.
The 'Great Wealth Transfer' is also a factor, with parents often encouraging their children to ring-fence inheritances. Rodgers argues that prenups have evolved to benefit women by clarifying rights from the outset, fostering honest conversations about life goals and responsibilities, ultimately aiming for happier, more stable marriages.