Complete Prenup Checklist: Everything Modern Couples Need to Know

Look, getting engaged is exciting. But here's what nobody tells you at the champagne toast: 30% of prenups get challenged in court. And you know what the #1 reason is? Incomplete financial disclosure.

Yep, you read that right. Couples hire expensive lawyers, sign official-looking documents, and think they're protected. Then years later (usually during a divorce, unfortunately), someone discovers an undisclosed $5,000 savings account or a forgotten business interest, and boom – the whole agreement gets tossed out.

That's where this prenup checklist comes in.

We're not just giving you a vague “talk to your partner about money” speech. We're walking through a systematic, step-by-step prenuptial agreement checklist that covers everything from your premarital savings account to that inheritance you might receive someday. Think of this as your financial disclosure insurance policy.

Ready? Grab your favorite notebook (or open a fresh spreadsheet – we don't judge) and let's make sure your agreement actually holds up when it matters most.

Before diving into the checklist, make sure you understand what a prenuptial agreement is and why it matters for modern couples.

Why You Need a Prenup Checklist (And Not Just a Prenup)

The Stakes Are Higher Than You Think

Here's a fun fact that's not actually fun: 43% of first marriages end in divorce.

Now, we're not trying to be pessimistic here. We genuinely hope you're in the 57% that makes it work forever. But here's the thing – if you're going through the process of creating a premarital agreement, you're already thinking ahead. Smart move.

But (okay, but here's the catch), having any prenup isn't the same as having a good prenup. Agreements with incomplete financial disclosure have a 30% higher invalidation rate in court. That's like building a house without permits – it might stand up until someone actually inspects it.

What Makes Our Checklist Different

Most couples approach this backwards. They hire a lawyer, sit down for one awkward meeting, try to remember all their assets off the top of their heads, and hope they didn't forget anything important.

Spoiler alert: they usually forget 3-5 significant items.

Our approach? We're treating this like a proper financial audit (I promise, way less boring than it sounds). You'll document everything systematically, have the right conversations with your partner at the right time, and end up with complete disclosure that courts actually respect.

Plus – and this is the surprising part – 83% of couples who use a comprehensive checklist report feeling more connected and trusting after the process. Turns out, radical financial transparency is actually good for relationships. Who knew?

Before You Start: Pre-Checklist Essentials

Timeline: When to Begin Your Prenup Process

First things first: don't start this process the week before your wedding. Just… don't.

Here's why: some states (looking at you, California) have a 7-day mandatory waiting period between signing and the wedding. But honestly? You need way more time than that.

The sweet spot: 4-6 months before your wedding date.

Here's what the data shows: couples who start the prenup process 6+ months before their wedding report 83% satisfaction with the final agreement. Compare that to couples who start less than 60 days before the wedding – only 45% satisfaction.

That's not just about legal compliance. That's about having time for proper conversations, gathering complete documentation, and not feeling rushed into decisions that'll affect your entire future.

Well, here are the typical milestones:

• Month 1: Financial document gathering + initial conversations
• Month 2: Complete disclosure drafts + review together
• Month 3: Attorney consultations (if using one) + revisions
• Month 4: Final review + signing (well before wedding!)

Having “The Talk” With Your Partner

Okay, but how do you even bring this up without it sounding like “hey, I'm already planning our divorce”?

Here's a script that actually works (because we've seen it work for thousands of couples):

“I've been thinking about our future together, and I want to make sure we're both protected and on the same page financially. Can we talk about creating a prenup? Not because I doubt us, but because I want to be intentional about how we handle money as a team.”

The key here? Frame it as protection for both of you, not just one person's assets.

Also, interesting tidbit: 52% of prenup conversations are now initiated by women. This isn't a “rich guy protecting his money” thing anymore – it's a modern couples thing.

Gathering Your Financial Documents

Alright, time to play financial detective. You're going to need:

For assets:

• Bank statements (all accounts, last 3 months)
• Investment account statements (401k, IRA, brokerage accounts)
• Property deeds and mortgage statements
• Vehicle titles and loan documents
• Business ownership documents and valuations
• Recent tax returns (last 2 years)

For debts:

• Student loan statements
• Credit card statements
• Personal loan documents
• Business debt obligations
• Any other liabilities

Pro tip: Don't try to do this in one sitting. Break it into 30-60 minute sessions over a couple weeks. Your brain (and your relationship) will thank you.

Part 1 – Assets Checklist: What to Document

Premarital Assets You Must List

Here's the golden rule: If it exists before you say “I do,” document it.

We're talking about everything:

💰 Cash and bank accounts Even that savings account with $500 in it? Yep, document it. Courts have invalidated entire prenups over $5,000 undisclosed accounts. Not worth the risk.

Example format: “Bank of America Checking #…1234, current balance $12,450 (as of January 15, 2025); Vanguard 401(k), $87,300 (statement attached); 2019 Honda Civic, fair market value $15,000”

🏠 Real estate
Any property you own, even partially. Include current market value, outstanding mortgage, and how much equity you have.

📈 Investment accounts Retirement accounts, brokerage accounts, cryptocurrency holdings (yes, Bitcoin counts), stock options from your employer.

🚗 Vehicles Cars, boats, motorcycles, RVs – anything with a title.

Want to know what couples forget most often? Digital assets (72% forget these), pet provisions (58% overlook), and future inheritance (64% don't document). More on those in a bit.

Future Assets: What Needs Protection

Now here's where it gets interesting. You can't just protect what you have now – you need to think about what might come later. This is critical when deciding what to include in a prenup.

Expected inheritance
If you know you're a beneficiary in a family trust or will, document it. Even if Grandma is healthy and you won't inherit for decades, courts want to know about it.

Example language: “Potential inheritance from Smith Family Trust, estimated value $200K-$500K; Beneficiary designation to remain separate property; Any inheritance received during marriage shall remain Emily's separate property”

If you're expecting family wealth, read our complete guide to protecting inherited assets in your prenup to ensure this section is bulletproof.

Future earnings
In some states, income earned during marriage is automatically marital property (we're looking at you, community property states). If you want to keep your future earnings separate, you need to specify this now.

Business Interests & Intellectual Property

Okay, entrepreneurs and creatives – this section is for you.

If you own a business (even a side hustle), you need to protect it. Here's why: without proper documentation, your spouse could end up with a claim to your company. Worse? Your business partners might suddenly have to deal with your ex-spouse in the divorce.

What to document:

🏢 Business ownership percentage
Example: “ABC Consulting LLC – 60% ownership stake, founded 2018, current valuation $300K (attached: business valuation letter from CPA dated January 2025); Note: Two additional partners each own 20%”

💡 Intellectual property
Patents, trademarks, copyrights, pending applications. If you wrote a book, created software, or invented something, document it.

📊 Business valuation
Get a professional valuation dated close to your wedding date. This establishes the baseline value – any appreciation during marriage can then be clearly calculated.

Real story time: We saw a couple (Jennifer & David, both entrepreneurs in a second marriage) where David owned a tech startup with silent partners. During the disclosure process, they discovered his business partners would need to approve any marital claims on the company. This led to an additional “business continuity clause” they hadn't even considered. Could've been a disaster if they'd discovered this during a divorce instead. Their complete prenup checklist caught it early – they ended up spending $4,000 with attorneys due to the complexity, but it was worth every penny.

Real Estate & Investment Properties

If you own property (or are buying property), here's what needs documenting:

Property description:
“2-bedroom condo at [address]: Purchased 2020, current equity $180K, mortgage $220K remaining; To remain Sarah's separate property; Mike waives any claim to appreciation during marriage”

Wait, did you catch that last part? “Appreciation during marriage” – this is crucial.

Let's say you own a condo worth $400K now. During your 10-year marriage, it appreciates to $600K. Is your spouse entitled to half of that $200K appreciation? Depends on your agreement and your state's laws. Document your intentions now.

💡 Quick Reality Check

You've just documented your assets – great work. But here's what most couples don't realize: gathering the information is only half the battle. You still need to translate this into legally-compliant language that courts will actually enforce. Online platforms like HelloPrenup ($599) bridge this gap, turning your asset checklist into attorney-reviewed prenup language for all 50 states – without the $8,000 average cost of traditional attorneys who'd spend hours just organizing the same information you've already gathered.

Part 2 – Debts & Liabilities Checklist

Okay, time to talk about the less fun stuff: debt. But here's the thing – this is just as important as documenting assets. Maybe more important.

Student Loans & Educational Debt

62% of millennials who get prenups have significant student loan debt. If this is you, listen up.

Student loans you took out before marriage are typically your separate debt. But you need to document them explicitly:

“Federal Student Loans: $45,000 (Loan Servicer: Nelnet, Account #XXX); Private Student Loan: $25,000 (Lender: Sallie Mae); Incurred before relationship began in 2019; Remains Sarah's separate debt; Mike assumes no responsibility for repayment”

Here's what most couples don't realize: in some states, if you don't explicitly address student loans in your prenup, your spouse could be on the hook for payments after divorce, even if they didn't benefit from the education. Harsh, right?

Credit Card & Consumer Debt

This is where things get uncomfortable. Because nobody wants to admit they have $30K in credit card debt to their future spouse.

But here's a real story: Sarah and Mike were young professionals creating their prenup. Sarah, 28, was a software engineer with $200K in savings. Mike, 29, was a medical resident who disclosed his $150K in student loans. Everything seemed fine until the attorney asked, “Any other debts?” Turns out Mike had forgotten about $30K in credit card debt.

If they'd signed the prenup without disclosing that debt, the entire agreement could've been invalidated later. Instead, they caught it during the checklist process, addressed it openly, and completed their agreement using an online platform for $599 in just 6 weeks. Their agreement held up.

What to include:

• Credit card balances (all cards)
• Personal loans
• Payment plans (medical debt, etc.)
• Buy-now-pay-later balances

Yes, even the $500 you owe on Affirm. Document everything.

Business Debts & Obligations

If you're a business owner, your business debts are personal liabilities that need disclosure:

• Business loans you've personally guaranteed
• Business credit cards in your name
• Lines of credit
• Vendor debts
• Tax obligations

Even if your business is technically separate, if you've signed personal guarantees (and most small business owners have), these debts could affect marital assets.

Part 3 – Financial Decisions Checklist

Now we get into the “how will we actually operate financially during marriage” stuff. This isn't just about protecting premarital assets – it's about setting expectations for your financial life together.

Bank Accounts: Joint vs Separate

Here's a question that sparks interesting conversations: will you have joint accounts, separate accounts, or both?

The “three account” approach is increasingly popular:

• Your individual account (for personal spending)
• Their individual account (for personal spending)
• Joint account (for shared expenses)

Or you might go fully joint. Or fully separate. There's no right answer, but you need to document what you're planning.

Example language: “Each party maintains separate checking and savings accounts. Joint account established for household expenses, funded proportionally based on income ratio”

Income & Earnings During Marriage

Okay, but what about the money you earn during marriage? This is where state laws get complicated.

Community property states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin) automatically treat income earned during marriage as 50/50 marital property.

Equitable distribution states divide income based on various factors, but generally consider marital income as shared.

If you want to keep your future earnings separate (or if you want a different split than your state's default), you need to specify this explicitly.

Tax Filing Status

Will you file taxes jointly or separately? This might seem minor, but it affects:

• Your tax bracket
• Eligibility for certain deductions
• Liability for each other's tax debts
• Refund distribution

Document your plan now so there's no confusion later.

Part 4 – Protection Provisions Checklist

This section is about the “what if” scenarios. What if the marriage ends? What if someone passes away? What happens to assets then?

Spousal Support / Alimony Terms

In some states, you can waive alimony entirely in a prenup. In others, you can set terms. In a few states, alimony waivers aren't enforceable.

What you can typically include:

• Whether spousal support will be paid at all
• Duration limits (“alimony for max 2 years”)
• Amount caps or formulas
• Conditions that trigger or eliminate support

Example: “In the event of divorce, neither party shall seek spousal support from the other, regardless of marriage duration or financial circumstances”

Or alternatively: “Spousal support shall be calculated as 20% of income difference, paid for one year per three years of marriage, maximum 5 years total”

Inheritance Rights & Estate Planning

Here's something people don't think about: when you get married, your spouse automatically becomes your heir in many states, even if you have a will saying otherwise.

A prenup can preserve your estate planning intentions:

“Each party waives all rights to inherit from the other's estate beyond what is specifically bequeathed in a valid will. This includes spousal elective share, family allowance, and homestead rights.”

This is especially crucial for second marriages where you have children from a previous relationship. The classic scenario: Emma didn't document her expected inheritance in her prenup. Six months into marriage, her grandmother passed, leaving $500K. In their community property state, it became marital property by default. Could've been completely avoided with proper documentation on the checklist.

Life Insurance & Beneficiaries

Who's the beneficiary on your life insurance? Does your prenup address this?

Common provisions:

• Each party maintains separate life insurance policies
• Beneficiary designations remain at each person's discretion
• Or: each party agrees to maintain minimum coverage with spouse as beneficiary for X years

Part 5 – Special Situations Checklist

Second Marriage Considerations

If this isn't your first rodeo, you've got additional considerations:

Children from previous marriage: You need provisions protecting your children's inheritance rights. Without this, your new spouse might have legal claims that override your kids' interests.

Existing support obligations:
If you're paying or receiving child support/alimony from a previous marriage, document it. Make it clear these obligations are separate from your new marital finances.

Retirement accounts:
Already divided retirement accounts from a previous divorce? Document the current status so there's no confusion about what's premarital vs. marital.

Blended Family Provisions

When both partners have children from previous relationships, the financial complexity multiplies:

• How will you handle different financial obligations to different kids?
• College funding plans for respective children
• Inheritance intentions for biological vs. stepchildren
• Family home rights (can your kids from a previous marriage live there during school breaks?)

Pet Ownership & Care

Yes, we're serious about this one. 58% of couples forget to address pet provisions in their prenups.

In most states, pets are legally considered property (we know, we know – your dog is family, not property). But from a legal standpoint, you need to document:

• Who owns pets acquired before marriage
• How pet expenses will be handled
• Custody arrangements if marriage ends
• Veterinary decision-making authority

Example: “Golden Retriever ‘Max' (acquired by Sarah in 2020) remains Sarah's separate property. In the event of divorce, Sarah retains custody and all decision-making authority for Max's care.”

Want to see how other couples used their checklists to create enforceable agreements? Check out these real prenup examples from young professionals, business owners, and second marriages.

What NOT to Include: Legal Boundaries

Here's where we need to pump the brakes. Not everything belongs in a prenup, and trying to include certain provisions can actually invalidate your entire agreement.

Child Custody & Support (Always Excluded)

You cannot – absolutely cannot – include provisions about child custody or child support in your prenup.

Why? Because courts decide these issues based on the best interests of the child at the time of divorce, not what you thought might be fair before the child even existed.

Any prenup that tries to waive child support or predetermine custody arrangements is likely to be thrown out entirely. Don't risk it.

Personal Behavior Clauses

You've probably heard of “lifestyle clauses” – provisions like “if he cheats, he loses everything” or “she must maintain her pre-marriage weight.”

Here's the thing: most of these are unenforceable. Courts generally won't enforce provisions that:

• Penalize someone for ending the marriage
• Dictate personal behavior during marriage
• Impose penalties for infidelity (in most states)
• Regulate intimate relations
• Control religious practices or personal choices

Unconscionable Terms

An “unconscionable” provision is one that's so one-sided it shocks the conscience of the court. Examples:

• Waiving all rights to all property with no consideration in return
• Terms that leave one spouse destitute while the other keeps everything
• Provisions signed under duress or without proper disclosure

If a judge finds your agreement unconscionable, the whole thing might get tossed.

State-Specific Checklist Requirements

Not all prenups are created equal. Your state has specific requirements that make the difference between an enforceable agreement and expensive toilet paper.

Community Property States

If you're getting married in Arizona, California, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Washington, or Wisconsin, pay attention.

In these states, income and assets acquired during marriage are automatically 50/50 community property unless your prenup says otherwise.

This means your checklist process is even more critical – you need crystal-clear documentation of what's separate vs. community property, both now and in the future.

California-specific: 7-day mandatory waiting period between signing and wedding. Also requires each party to have independent legal counsel or explicit waiver.

Texas-specific: Requires notarization for enforcement.

Equitable Distribution States

The other 41 states use “equitable distribution” – meaning assets are divided “fairly” based on various factors, but not necessarily 50/50.

This gives judges more discretion, which means your prenup needs to be even more specific about your intentions.

New York-specific: Courts apply heavy judicial scrutiny. Your agreement needs to be abundantly clear that both parties understood what they were signing and had opportunity for legal counsel.

Florida-specific: Specific formatting requirements for enforceability.

Navigating these state-specific requirements can feel overwhelming – California's 7-day waiting period, Texas's notarization mandate, New York's heavy scrutiny. The good news? Modern online platforms build these compliance requirements directly into the process, automatically adjusting based on where you're getting married. No need to become an expert in 50 different state laws yourself.

Your checklist must align with the legal requirements every prenup must meet to be enforceable in court.

Printable Prenup Checklist (Download)

Okay, we've covered a ton of ground. Let's make this actionable with actual tools you can use.

Asset Documentation Template

PREMARITAL ASSETS WORKSHEET

Cash & Bank Accounts:

• Institution name:
• Account type (checking, savings, etc.):
• Account number (last 4 digits):
• Current balance:
• Date of valuation:
• Supporting documentation attached: □ Yes □ No

Real Estate:

• Property address:
• Purchase date & price:
• Current market value:
• Outstanding mortgage balance:
• Equity amount:
• Property deed attached: □ Yes □ No

Investment Accounts:

• Account type (401k, IRA, brokerage, etc.):
• Account number:
• Current value:
• Statement date:
• Beneficiary designations:

Repeat for all assets in each category.

Debt Disclosure Worksheet

PREMARITAL DEBTS WORKSHEET

Student Loans:

• Lender/Servicer:
• Account number:
• Current balance:
• Monthly payment:
• When debt was incurred:
• Purpose of loan:

Credit Cards & Consumer Debt:

• Creditor name:
• Account number (last 4):
• Current balance:
• When debt was incurred:
• Statement attached: □ Yes □ No

Discussion Questions for Couples

Work through these together (not separately):

1. How do you envision handling day-to-day finances during marriage?
   • Joint accounts? Separate? Both?
   • Who pays for what?
2. What are your biggest financial fears about marriage?
   • Be honest. This is important.
3. Do you expect any large inheritances or financial windfalls?
   • Family trusts, businesses, real estate?
4. How do you feel about debt – yours and mine?
   • Are we tackling it together or separately?
5. What happens if one of us wants to make a major career change?
   • What if someone wants to go back to school?
   • What if someone wants to start a business?
6. If we have children, how will that affect our financial arrangement?
   • Will someone stay home? Work part-time?
   • How do we handle reduced income?

Now, here's a pro tip: once you've completed these worksheets, don't let that information sit in a spreadsheet gathering digital dust. Modern platforms can turn your documented information into legally-compliant prenup language tailored to your state's requirements – often with same-day turnaround versus the 2-3 weeks you'd wait with traditional attorneys.

Next Steps: From Checklist to Complete Prenup

DIY vs Attorney vs Online Platform

Alright, you've got your checklist complete. Now what?

You've got three main options:

Option 1: Pure DIY

• Cost: $50-200 (prenup template purchase)
• Pros: Cheapest option, full control
• Cons: High risk if you miss something, may not be enforceable, no legal guidance
• Best for: Very simple situations, minimal assets, no kids, no business interests

Option 2: Traditional Attorney

• Cost: $8,000 average (both parties need separate attorneys)
• Pros: Expert legal guidance, custom drafting, high confidence
• Cons: Expensive, time-consuming, still relies on YOUR information gathering
• Best for: Complex situations, high-value assets, business owners, second marriages with kids

Option 3: Online Platforms

• Cost: $599 (example pricing)
• Pros: State-specific templates, guided process, attorney-reviewed, much cheaper than traditional
• Cons: Less customization than fully custom attorney drafting
• Best for: Most modern couples – balance of guidance, compliance, and cost

Here's the reality: 75% of prenup users are 18-39 years old, and most are choosing the online platform route. Why? Because the checklist organization + state-compliant templates at $599 vs. $8,000 makes sense for most situations.

You still get legal compliance and proper structure, just without paying for 10 hours of attorney time to organize information you could've gathered yourself (which, congrats, you just did with this guide). Online platforms like HelloPrenup offer the sweet spot: guided checklist process + attorney-reviewed templates for all 50 states at $599 vs $8,000 average traditional attorney cost.

Once your checklist is complete, you'll need prenup templates that match your state's requirements and your specific situation.

Timeline & Execution Requirements

Typical timeline from complete checklist to signed agreement:

DIY route: 1-2 weeks (if you know what you're doing)

Attorney route: 2-3 months (back and forth, revisions, scheduling)

Online platform: Often same-day to 1 week turnaround

Critical execution requirements:

• Both parties must sign voluntarily (no coercion)
• Each party should have opportunity for legal counsel (even if declined)
• Full financial disclosure must be attached
• Sign well before wedding (remember that California 7-day rule? Other states have similar timing considerations)
• Notarization required in many states
• Witnesses may be required depending on your state

FAQ: Prenup Checklist Questions

Q: How long does it take to complete a prenup checklist?

A: For most couples, 2-4 weeks. Plan for 30-60 minute sessions to gather financial documents, discuss provisions, and complete each section. Don't rush this – incomplete checklists lead to weak prenups. Remember, couples who start 6+ months before their wedding report significantly higher satisfaction (83% vs 45% for rushed processes).

Q: Do I need different checklists for different states?

A: The core checklist (assets, debts, provisions) stays the same regardless of where you're getting married. However, execution requirements definitely vary. California requires a 7-day waiting period, Texas requires notarization, New York emphasizes independent counsel. The good news? The documentation process we've outlined works for all states – you just need to adjust the signing/filing requirements at the end.

Q: What's the difference between a prenup checklist and a prenup template?

A: Great question. A checklist helps you gather information and decide what to include in your agreement. A template provides actual legal language for your agreement. You need the checklist first – it informs what goes in the template. Think of it like this: the checklist is your ingredient list and recipe plan, the template is the actual recipe with measurements and cooking instructions.

Q: Can I use the same checklist for a postnup?

A: Mostly yes, but postnups (agreements created after marriage) face higher judicial scrutiny. You'll need additional documentation showing the agreement is fair and benefits both parties. Courts scrutinize postnups more carefully because there's a presumption that married couples have a fiduciary duty to each other. Consult with an attorney about postnup-specific requirements if you're already married.

Q: Should we complete the checklist together or separately?

A: Start separately for documenting your individual assets and debts – this ensures complete disclosure without one person influencing the other. Then review everything together and have joint discussions about decisions and provisions (like whether to keep accounts separate, how to handle future earnings, etc.). This combo approach gives you both independent documentation and collaborative decision-making.

Q: Do we really need to list every single bank account, even small ones?

A: Yes. Courts have invalidated entire prenups over undisclosed $5,000 savings accounts. It might feel tedious to document that old savings account you barely use, but the time to document is now – not during a divorce when stakes are infinitely higher and emotions are running hot.

Q: What if I don't have much money right now – do I still need this?

A: This isn't about current wealth – it's about future protection. Student debt, expected inheritance, potential business ventures, future earnings all matter. Plus, establishing good financial disclosure habits now strengthens your relationship. And honestly? If you're thinking about getting a prenup at all, going through this process properly is worth it. Half-measures create more risk than no prenup at all.

Q: What is reasonable to ask for in a prenup?

A: Reasonable requests include: protection of premarital assets, clear property division terms, debt separation, fair spousal support terms, inheritance rights preservation, and business interest protection. Courts look favorably on agreements where both parties benefit and neither is left in an unconscionable position.

Q: What should you not include in a prenup?

A: Never include: child custody or support provisions (always unenforceable), personal behavior clauses, unconscionable terms that leave one spouse destitute, illegal provisions, or anything that violates public policy. These can invalidate your entire agreement.

Q: How much money is enough for a prenup?

A: There's no specific dollar threshold. Focus on your asset protection goals, not wealth amount. Anyone with significant assets (even $50K), a business, substantial debt they want to keep separate, or expected inheritance should consider a prenup. It's about what you're protecting, not how much you have.

Final Thoughts

Look, we've covered a lot of ground here. If your head is spinning a bit, that's normal.

Here's the bottom line: A prenup is only as good as the disclosure behind it. You can hire the fanciest lawyer in town, but if you haven't documented everything properly, your agreement has a target on its back.

The checklist approach we've walked through might feel tedious at times. But you know what's more tedious? Having your prenup thrown out during a divorce because you forgot to mention that inherited property or that business interest or that cryptocurrency wallet.

Plus, here's the surprising upside: most couples actually feel closer after going through this process properly. There's something powerful about radical financial transparency. When both partners know exactly where they stand, when expectations are crystal clear, when there are no financial secrets lurking – that's a strong foundation for marriage.

So yeah, take your time with this. Use the worksheets. Have the hard conversations. Document everything properly.

Your future self will thank you.

(And hey, hopefully you never need to actually use this agreement. But if you do? You'll be really, really glad you did it right.)

Ready to turn this checklist into an actual prenup? You've done the hard work of gathering your information and having the important conversations. Now you need that information translated into legally-compliant language that holds up in your state's courts.

Whether you choose the DIY route, traditional attorneys, or a modern online platform, make sure your final agreement reflects all the careful work you've put into this checklist process.

You've got this. 💪