Prenup Alternatives: 7 Practical Ways Modern Couples Protect Their Finances

Look, we're not going to beat around the bush here. You've probably heard that only 15% of married or engaged couples actually have a prenup. That means 85% of married adults don't have one, according to LawDepot's survey. And honestly? There are plenty of good reasons why couples skip the traditional prenup route.

Maybe you're already married and didn't get one before the wedding. Maybe the whole conversation felt too awkward to bring up during engagement planning. Or maybe you just don't vibe with the idea of a formal prenup but still want some financial protection. (We get it – talking money can be complicated enough without adding legal documents to the mix.)

Here's the thing: skipping a prenup doesn't mean you have to skip financial protection entirely. In fact, there are seven solid prenup alternatives that might work even better for your specific situation. And no, we're not talking about “backup plans” or “second-best options” here. These are legitimate strategies that plenty of couples use to protect their assets, clarify expectations, and build financial security together.

So let's dive into your options. Whether you're engaged, already married, or living together without plans to tie the knot anytime soon, there's probably an alternative that fits your life. If you're curious about what a traditional prenup covers, we've got you covered there too – but today we're focusing on what to do instead of a prenup.

Why Couples Look for Prenup Alternatives

Before we jump into the solutions, let's talk about why you might be here in the first place.

Common Reasons to Skip a Traditional Prenup

Well, first off, prenups aren't exactly cheap. The average couple spends around $8,000 on a traditional prenup when working with attorneys, according to HelloPrenup's 2024 survey. That's… a lot of money, especially when you're already budgeting for a wedding, a home, or just life in general. (Want the full prenup cost breakdown? We've written about that too.)

Timing is another huge factor. Traditional prenups can take 3-6 months to finalize. If you're planning a wedding in less time than that (or you're already married), a prenup might not even be on the table anymore.

Then there's the emotional side. Let's be real – some couples feel like bringing up a prenup suggests you're planning for divorce before you've even said “I do.” It's not the most romantic conversation starter, right? And depending on your family background or cultural context, prenups might carry a stigma that makes them feel inappropriate or uncomfortable.

Oh, and here's a big one: maybe you're not even getting married. If you're part of the 7% of American adults living in cohabitation (that's roughly 17 million people, according to the US Census), a prenup literally doesn't apply to you. You're not married, so you need something else entirely.

The Good News About Financial Protection

Here's what matters: you have options. Lots of them, actually.

Each alternative to prenuptial agreement we're about to walk through has its own strengths and works best in different situations. Some are better for couples who are already married. Some are designed specifically for unmarried partners. Some focus on specific assets like businesses or inheritances. And some are just way more flexible or affordable than traditional prenups.

The key is understanding what each option does well – and what it doesn't cover – so you can make an informed choice. (Or, honestly, combine multiple strategies for maximum protection. More on that later.)

Alternative #1: Postnuptial Agreements

Okay, so you're already married and didn't get a prenup before the wedding. Don't panic. That's exactly what postnuptial agreements are for.

How Postnups Work

A postnuptial agreement is basically a prenup that you create after getting married instead of before. It covers the same territory: how you'll divide assets and debts if you divorce, whether anyone gets spousal support, how you'll handle property acquired during the marriage, all that stuff.

The main difference? Timing. With a prenup, you're planning ahead before you legally tie yourselves together. With a postnup, you're already in it, which means the legal dynamics shift a bit. (We'll get to that in a second.)

Postnups can be created anytime during your marriage. Common triggers include:

• One spouse receives a large inheritance
• One partner starts a business during the marriage
• You experience a major financial windfall (lottery, stock options, whatever)
• You want to clarify expectations after a rough patch
• Your financial situation changes dramatically

Postnup vs Prenup: Key Differences

Here's where things get interesting. Courts look at postnups more carefully than prenups. Why? Because once you're married, you have what's called a “fiduciary duty” to each other – basically, a legal obligation to act in each other's best interests. So judges want to make sure that neither spouse was pressured, misled, or treated unfairly when signing a postnup.

That said, when postnups are done right – with full transparency, separate legal advice for both parties, and genuinely fair terms – they absolutely hold up in court. They're legally binding. They work.

The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) has seen a 62% increase in requests for prenups among millennials since 2019. Guess what? Postnup requests are climbing too, as more couples realize it's never too late to clarify financial expectations. If you're wondering whether postnup vs prenup which is better, the answer honestly depends on your timing and situation.

When a Postnup Makes Sense

Postnups are ideal if you're in any of these situations:

1. You're already married (obviously) and didn't get a prenup
2. Your circumstances changed after marriage – new business, inheritance, major career shift
3. You want to update an existing prenup that's outdated (here's our guide on modifying your prenup after marriage)
4. You're working through financial disagreements and want clarity moving forward
5. You're in a second marriage and want to protect assets for kids from a previous relationship

Real example: Let's say you got married at 25 without much to your names. Now you're 32, and one of you just inherited a family property worth $800,000. A postnup can clarify that this inheritance stays separate property, protecting it from being divided as marital assets later.

Postnup Cost and Timeline

Traditional attorney-drafted postnups typically cost $5,000-$15,000 per couple. Yeah, that's still expensive. But here's some good news: modern online platforms have made postnuptial agreements significantly more accessible and affordable than ever before. HelloPrenup offers state-specific postnuptial agreements starting at $599 – that's a massive difference compared to traditional legal fees, and the process takes days instead of months.

Now, we're not saying online platforms work for everyone. If you have complex assets (multiple businesses, international property, complicated family trusts), you probably want an attorney involved. But for straightforward situations, the online route makes postnups way more accessible than they used to be.

Alternative #2: Cohabitation Agreements

Okay, but what if you're not married at all? What if you're living together, sharing expenses, maybe even co-owning property, but marriage isn't part of your plan right now (or ever)?

What Is a Cohabitation Agreement?

A cohabitation agreement is essentially a prenup alternative for unmarried couples. It's a legal contract that outlines:

• How you'll divide property if you break up
• Who owns what (especially if you bought things together)
• How you'll handle shared expenses while you're together
• What happens to jointly held assets like cars, real estate, or pets
• Financial responsibilities during the relationship

Think of it as a way to clarify expectations and protect both partners when you're building a life together without the legal framework of marriage protection without prenup.

Who Needs a Cohabitation Agreement

Well, here's the reality: 7% of American adults are living in cohabitation, according to the US Census. That's a lot of couples who don't have the automatic legal protections (or obligations) that marriage brings.

You should seriously consider a cohabitation agreement if:

• You're buying property together
• One partner is significantly wealthier than the other
• You're starting a business together
• One partner is leaving a career to support the household
• You have kids together but aren't married
• You want clarity on debt responsibilities

Without a cohabitation agreement, unmarried couples have very limited legal protection if things go south. In most states, you can't claim “palimony” (alimony for unmarried partners) unless you have a written agreement. And property division can get messy fast without documentation.

Cohabitation Agreement vs Prenup

The main difference is obvious: a cohabitation agreement is for unmarried couples, while prenups are for people planning to marry.

But there are other distinctions:

• Scope: Cohabitation agreements can cover day-to-day financial arrangements during the relationship, not just what happens if you split up
• Legal framework: They're governed by contract law, not family law
• State recognition: Not all states treat cohabitation agreements the same way (more on that in a sec)
• Flexibility: They're often more flexible than prenups because they're not constrained by marital law requirements

Here's the catch: cohabitation agreement laws vary wildly by state. Some states are super supportive, others are… not. California, for example, recognizes them clearly (thanks to the famous Marvin v. Marvin case). Other states are more skeptical. So you'll definitely want to consult local laws or an attorney in your area.

Alternative #3: Trusts for Asset Protection

Now we're getting into strategies that work whether you're married or not, have a prenup or not.

How Trusts Protect Marital Assets

A trust for marriage protection is basically a legal arrangement where you transfer ownership of assets to a trustee (could be you, could be someone else, could be an institution) who manages them according to your instructions. The assets in the trust are legally separate from your personal property.

When it comes to marriage protection, trusts are powerful because:

• Assets in a properly structured trust aren't marital property. They're owned by the trust, not by you personally
• They provide privacy. Unlike prenups (which can become public during divorce), trusts avoid probate and keep your financial details private
• They offer creditor protection. Depending on the trust structure, assets can be protected from creditors as well as divorce claims
• They're harder to challenge. If a trust is set up correctly before marriage or with clearly separate property, it's tough for a spouse to claim rights to those assets

Types of Trusts for Couples

There are several trust types to consider when you want to protect assets without prenup:

Revocable Living Trusts: You keep control and can change the trust anytime. These protect assets from probate but offer limited divorce protection unless they're funded exclusively with separate property.

Irrevocable Trusts: You give up control, but assets get strong protection from creditors, lawsuits, and divorce claims. More protective, less flexible.

Asset Protection Trusts: Specifically designed to shield assets. These can be domestic (in certain states like Nevada or Delaware) or offshore. Complex but highly protective.

Inheritance Trusts: If you want to protect inheritance without prenup, these trusts ensure those assets never become marital property.

Real example: Let's say you're an entrepreneur entering a second marriage. You have a successful business and kids from your first marriage. You could put the business into an irrevocable trust with your children as beneficiaries. Your new spouse has no claim to the business, and your kids are protected if something happens to you.

Trust Advantages Over Prenups

Here's why some couples prefer trusts:

1. No awkward conversations. You're just “doing estate planning,” not asking your partner to sign away rights
2. More comprehensive protection. Trusts can protect against creditors, lawsuits, estate taxes – not just divorce
3. Privacy. Trusts don't become public record like divorce proceedings can
4. Flexibility for complex situations. Great for family businesses, inheritances, multi-generational wealth

That said, trusts aren't a complete replacement for prenups or postnups. They're excellent for protecting specific assets (especially pre-marital ones or inheritances), but they don't address things like spousal support, debt division, or property acquired during the marriage. For comprehensive protection, many couples combine a trust with a postnup or prenup.

Cost-wise, simple revocable trusts run about $1,000-$3,000. More complex irrevocable or asset protection trusts can cost $5,000-$10,000+, depending on your situation.

Alternative #4: Separate Property Strategies

Okay, but what if you don't want formal agreements or fancy trusts? What if you just want to keep things simple and separate?

Keeping Assets Separate Without a Prenup

Here's the basic idea: most states distinguish between separate property (stuff you owned before marriage or inherited during marriage) and marital property (stuff acquired during marriage). If you can keep your separate property clearly separate, it stays separate in a divorce.

Sounds easy, right? Well, here's where it gets tricky.

The Commingling Risk

Commingling is the number one reason separate property loses its protected status when couples try financial protection after marriage without prenup. Commingling means mixing separate assets with marital assets. Once you do that, courts often treat everything as marital property.

Examples of commingling:

• Depositing inheritance money into a joint bank account. Now it's mixed with marital funds. Good luck arguing it's separate.
• Using marital income to pay mortgage on a pre-marital house. You're adding marital equity to separate property.
• Adding your spouse's name to the title of your pre-marital home. That's basically a gift – it's now marital property.
• Using separate funds for marital expenses without clear documentation

Even indirect contributions can create commingling issues. If you own a rental property from before marriage but your spouse helps manage it, renovate it, or handles tenants, they might have a claim to some of the equity.

Documentation You'll Need

If you're going the separate property route, documentation is everything. You need:

• Clear records of asset origin: Proof that property was yours before marriage (deeds, account statements, purchase records)
• Separate bank accounts: Keep pre-marital money and inheritances in accounts with your name only
• No mixing funds: Don't pay for joint expenses from separate accounts (or document it meticulously if you do)
• Written agreements: Even informal written acknowledgments between spouses can help (though a formal postnup is stronger)
• Tracking of separate contributions: If you use separate funds for anything joint, keep detailed records

Real example: You inherit $200,000 from your grandmother during your marriage. You deposit it into a separate account with only your name. You never use it for joint expenses. You have the will and account statements proving the source. If you divorce, that $200,000 stays yours. But if you'd deposited it into your joint checking account to “make things easier,” you'd probably lose the separate property protection.

Important note: separate property strategies work better in equitable distribution states (where judges divide assets “fairly”) than in community property states (where most marital assets split 50/50). State laws vary enormously, so local advice matters here.

Alternative #5: Family Limited Partnerships & LLCs

This one's for couples with business assets, rental properties, or family wealth they want to protect without prenup.

Using Business Entities for Asset Protection

A Family Limited Partnership (FLP) or Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a legal business entity that owns assets. You transfer property – real estate, investments, business interests – into the entity. Then you control the entity through ownership interests (partnership shares or LLC membership units).

Here's why this protects assets in marriage:

• The entity owns the assets, not you personally. Your spouse can't claim direct ownership
• Limited transferability. Partnership agreements often restrict transfers to outsiders, including divorcing spouses
• Valuation benefits. Courts sometimes value minority ownership interests at a discount, reducing what a spouse might claim
• Control separation. You can maintain control as general partner/manager even if ownership is split

FLPs and LLCs work particularly well for:

• Rental property portfolios
• Family businesses
• Investment accounts
• Vacation homes
• Valuable collections (art, vehicles, etc.)

Who Should Consider This Option

This strategy makes sense if you:

• Have significant business assets or real estate
• Want to pass wealth to children eventually
• Need creditor protection (LLCs are great for this)
• Have a family business spanning generations
• Want operational control separate from ownership

Real example: You own three rental properties worth $2 million total. You put them into an LLC before getting married. Your spouse never has an ownership interest in the LLC. If you divorce, the LLC (and the properties it owns) aren't on the table for division.

Now, fair warning: this strategy gets complex fast. You need proper legal setup, ongoing maintenance (annual meetings, records, filings), and legitimate business purposes. If you create an FLP or LLC solely to avoid marital claims with no real business purpose, courts can “pierce the veil” and ignore the entity structure.

Also, this doesn't address income generated by the business during marriage – that's often considered marital property. So you might still need a postnup to cover the full picture.

Alternative #6: Strategic Titling and Account Structures

This one's about being intentional with how you set up accounts and hold property.

Separate vs Joint Accounts

Here's a question: do separate accounts vs prenup protect you in divorce?

The short answer: not automatically.

Even if you keep separate accounts during marriage, money earned during the marriage is usually considered marital property in most states. Having separate accounts just means you're managing it separately – it doesn't change the legal character of the funds.

That said, separate accounts can help if:

• You're keeping pre-marital savings separate
• You're tracking inheritances or gifts to you individually
• You want clear records of who spent what
• You're avoiding commingling (as we talked about earlier)

But don't assume separate accounts = separate property. You need documentation and clean records.

Property Titling Strategies

How you title property matters a lot:

Sole ownership: Property in one person's name only. If it's pre-marital or inherited property titled this way, it's usually separate. But watch out for commingling (like using marital funds for maintenance).

Joint tenancy with right of survivorship: Both names on the title, equal ownership, property automatically passes to survivor if one dies. This is almost always marital property.

Tenancy by the entirety: Special form available to married couples in some states. Offers strong creditor protection but is definitely marital property.

Tenancy in common: You each own a specific percentage. This allows unequal ownership and can be useful for protecting pre-marital contributions, but it's tricky.

Here's a practical example: You owned a condo before marriage. When you get married, you keep the title in your name only. You pay the mortgage from your separate account. You document everything. If you divorce, the condo is likely separate property. But if you'd added your spouse's name “to be nice,” you've probably just gifted them half.

One more thing: titling strategies alone aren't bulletproof. Courts can still consider factors like contributions to the property, appreciation during marriage, and indirect support. Combining titling strategies with a postnup gives you stronger protection.

Alternative #7: Insurance-Based Protection

This one's different. Insurance doesn't prevent divorce or division of assets, but it does provide financial security if things go wrong.

Life Insurance for Financial Security

Life insurance can replace some of the financial protection a prenup or postnup would provide. Here's how:

Protect spousal support obligations: If you'd owe alimony in a divorce, a life insurance policy ensures your ex-spouse gets financial support even if you die. (Morbid, maybe, but practical.)

Secure children's futures: Life insurance guarantees funds for kids regardless of what happens to the marriage or either parent.

Replace lost income: If one spouse left their career to support the household, life insurance provides financial security if the earning spouse dies.

Cover debt obligations: If you have joint debts (mortgage, car loans), life insurance ensures they get paid even if something happens to one income earner.

A lot of couples don't realize this, but you can structure life insurance policies so your ex-spouse is the beneficiary (or co-beneficiary with kids). This is actually pretty common in divorce settlements – the court orders one spouse to maintain life insurance for the other's benefit.

Disability and Long-Term Care Considerations

Disability insurance and long-term care insurance work similarly. They protect both partners if one becomes unable to work or needs extended care.

Why does this matter for marriage protection? Well, financial stress from illness or disability is a leading cause of divorce. If you have solid insurance coverage, you're reducing financial risks that could destabilize the marriage and ensuring both partners are protected if things don't work out.

That said, insurance is not a substitute for legal agreements. It's a complementary strategy. You still need clarity on asset division, debt allocation, and property rights. Insurance just adds another layer of security.

Comparing Your Options: Which Alternative Is Right for You?

Okay, so we've covered seven different approaches. Now what?

Decision Framework by Situation

Let's break it down:

If you're already married and didn't get a prenup:
→ Postnuptial agreement is your best bet. Consider combining with a trust if you have significant separate assets.

If you're engaged and want protection but don't like the prenup idea:
→ Honestly, a prenup (maybe through an affordable online platform) might still be your simplest option. But if timing is tight or prenup too late what are options, plan for a postnup after the wedding.

If you're living together and not planning to marry:
→ Cohabitation agreement is essential, especially if you own property together or have significant shared assets.

If you have specific assets to protect (inheritance, business, family property):
→ Trust is probably your strongest tool. Can be combined with any other strategy.

If you want simple, low-cost protection:
→ Separate property strategies with meticulous documentation. Just understand the limitations.

If you have complex family or business assets:
→ FLP or LLC, likely combined with a postnup or trust for comprehensive coverage.

If you want a safety net but not formal agreements:
→ Insurance-based protection, though this doesn't address asset division.

Cost Comparison: Prenup Alternatives at a Glance

Here's how these alternatives to prenups stack up financially:

Traditional Postnup: $5,000-$15,000 | Timeline: 2-6 months | Best for: Complex assets, high net worth

Online Postnup (HelloPrenup): $599 | Timeline: Days-weeks | Best for: Straightforward situations

Cohabitation Agreement: $500-$2,500 | Timeline: Weeks-months | Best for: Unmarried couples

Trust (simple): $1,000-$3,000 | Timeline: Weeks | Best for: Specific asset protection

Trust (complex): $5,000-$10,000+ | Timeline: Months | Best for: Business assets, multi-generational wealth

FLP/LLC: $2,000-$5,000+ setup | Timeline: Weeks-months | Best for: Business and real estate holdings

Separate Property Strategy: $0-$500 (documentation) | Timeline: Ongoing | Best for: DIY approach with discipline

Insurance: Varies by policy | Timeline: Immediate | Best for: Supplemental protection.

Platforms like HelloPrenup have made postnups dramatically more affordable – $599 with 24/7 access and state-specific legal compliance versus an average of $8,000 for traditional attorney-drafted agreements. That's a game-changer for couples who want legal protection without the massive expense or months-long timeline.

Combining Multiple Strategies

Here's something important: you don't have to choose just one approach when looking at marriage contract alternatives.

In fact, financial experts often recommend layering multiple strategies for maximum protection. Common combinations:

• Trust + Postnup: Trust protects pre-marital assets and inheritance; postnup covers everything else
• Separate Property + Insurance: Maintain separate accounts with documentation; add insurance for income protection
• LLC + Postnup: LLC holds business assets; postnup addresses personal property and support
• Cohabitation Agreement + Trust: For unmarried couples with significant assets

Real example: You're entering a second marriage with kids from your first marriage. You create a trust for your inheritance and business interests (beneficiaries = your kids). Then you and your new spouse sign a postnup covering property acquired during this marriage and waiving spousal support. Now you have comprehensive protection for both your kids and your current relationship.

What Prenup Alternatives Can't Do

Alright, let's talk limitations. These alternatives are powerful, but they're not magic.

Legal Limitations to Be Aware Of

Postnups face extra scrutiny: Unlike prenups, postnups are signed after you're already married. That means courts look at them more carefully to make sure neither spouse was coerced or misled. You need full transparency, fairness, and ideally separate attorneys for both parties. Understanding prenup legal requirements helps here – many apply to postnups too.

Trusts don't address marital property: Trusts are great for protecting specific assets you put into them. But they don't cover property acquired during marriage, debt division, or spousal support. You still need a postnup or prenup for comprehensive coverage.

Cohabitation agreements aren't recognized everywhere: State laws vary wildly. Some states embrace cohabitation agreements; others are skeptical. If you move states, your agreement might not hold up. Always check local laws.

Separate property strategies require perfect documentation: One slip-up – one commingled account, one joint expense paid from separate funds – and your protection can evaporate. It's a lot of work to maintain.

Insurance doesn't address asset division: Insurance provides financial security, but it won't determine who gets the house, the retirement accounts, or the car in a divorce.

FLPs and LLCs need legitimate business purposes: If you create a family limited partnership solely to avoid marital claims with no real business operations, courts can ignore it. You need legitimate reasons and proper maintenance.

When You Really Do Need a Prenup (or Postnup)

Look, sometimes alternatives just aren't enough. You really should consider a formal prenup or postnup if:

• You have complex assets (multiple businesses, international property, significant investments)
• There's a major wealth disparity between you and your partner
• You're in a second (or third) marriage with kids to protect
• You want to address spousal support explicitly
• You want comprehensive, all-encompassing financial protection
• You need something enforceable across state lines without question

Before deciding, it helps to weigh the prenup pros and cons for your specific situation.

The good news? You don't have to spend months and thousands of dollars anymore. If you've realized you need formal legal protection, you don't have to wait or break the bank. HelloPrenup offers state-specific prenuptial and postnuptial agreements for $599, with optional attorney review services if you need extra support. They've made the process accessible for the 41% of Gen Z married couples and 47% of millennials who are choosing to get prenups, according to HelloPrenup's 2024 data.

Interestingly, 52% of prenups are now initiated by women, and 75% of HelloPrenup users are 18-39 years old. The stigma is fading fast, especially among younger generations who view financial planning as smart, not pessimistic.

Getting Started: Next Steps

So where do you go from here?

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before you choose an alternative (or combination of strategies), think through these questions:

1. What are we actually trying to protect? Specific assets? Future earnings? Inheritance? Business interests?
2. What's our relationship status? Married? Engaged? Living together with no marriage plans?
3. What's our budget? Can we afford $5,000+ for attorneys, or do we need a more affordable option?
4. How complex are our finances? Simple (salaries, maybe one house) or complex (businesses, multiple properties, investments, inheritance)?
5. What's our timeline? Do we need something fast, or can we take months to set it up properly?
6. What do we both want? (This is the big one.) Are you on the same page about financial protection?

When to Consult a Professional

For most of these financial agreement alternatives prenup, professional guidance is a really good idea. Here's when you definitely need it:

• Postnups: Even with online platforms, consider attorney review for complex situations
• Trusts: Absolutely get a trust and estate attorney – DIY trusts often fail
• FLPs/LLCs: Need proper legal setup and ongoing compliance
• Cohabitation agreements: State laws vary too much to wing it
• Separate property strategies: At least consult a local attorney about your state's laws

Even if you start with an affordable online option like HelloPrenup ($599), you can always add attorney review later. The key is getting something in place rather than doing nothing because the traditional route feels too expensive or complicated.

Financial planners can also help you think through which strategies make sense for your specific situation. And yeah, these conversations might feel awkward at first, but here's the reality: 63% of Certified Divorce Financial Analysts believe prenups and similar agreements actually reduce conflict during divorce, according to the Institute for Divorce Financial Analysis. Planning ahead isn't pessimistic – it's responsible.

Wait, Don't Go Away So Quickly…

Let's do a quick recap because we just covered a lot of ground.

You have seven real alternatives to traditional prenups, each with its own strengths:

1. Postnuptial agreements – for couples already married
2. Cohabitation agreements – for unmarried partners
3. Trusts – for protecting specific assets with privacy
4. Separate property strategies – low-cost but high-maintenance
5. Family LLCs/Partnerships – for business and real estate assets
6. Strategic titling and accounts – intentional structure from day one
7. Insurance – supplemental financial security

No single option is universally “best.” It depends on your relationship status, assets, budget, and goals. And honestly, combining strategies often gives you the most comprehensive protection.

The most important thing? Don't let perfect be the enemy of good. Even an imperfect plan is better than no plan. Start somewhere. Whether that's a $599 online postnup, a simple separate property strategy with good documentation, or a comprehensive trust-plus-postnup combo, you're taking control of your financial future together.

And if you've realized through this article that you do want a formal agreement after all? That's okay too. Modern tools have made prenups and postnups more accessible than ever. What used to cost $8,000 and take half a year can now cost $599 and take a few days.

Your relationship deserves financial clarity. Your assets deserve protection. And you deserve peace of mind. So pick the strategy (or strategies) that fit your life, and take the first step.

FAQ: Prenup Alternatives

What can I do instead of getting a prenup?

The most common prenup alternatives are postnuptial agreements (for married couples), cohabitation agreements (for unmarried partners), trusts, keeping assets separate with proper documentation, family LLCs, and strategic insurance. Each option works best for different situations.

Is a postnup as good as a prenup?

Postnups are legally binding and offer similar protections but face more scrutiny from courts because you're already married. With full transparency and fairness, they're nearly as effective as prenups.

Can a trust protect my assets like a prenup does?

Trusts can protect pre-marital assets and inheritances, but they don't address marital property division or spousal support. For comprehensive protection, combine a trust with a postnup or prenup.

What's a cohabitation agreement and do I need one?

A cohabitation agreement is like a prenup for unmarried couples. If you're living together without plans to marry (or not anytime soon), it protects your individual assets and clarifies financial responsibilities. Essential if you own property together or have significant assets.

How much do prenup alternatives cost?

Costs vary widely: Traditional postnups: $5,000-$15,000; Online postnups: $599-$1,500; Simple trusts: $1,000-$3,000; Cohabitation agreements: $500-$2,500; Separate accounts: Free (but requires careful documentation).

Can I combine multiple prenup alternatives?

Absolutely. Many couples use a combination strategy – for example, a trust for pre-marital assets plus a postnup for everything else. This layered approach often provides the best protection.

What happens if I do nothing to protect my assets?

Your state's default laws will determine property division in divorce. In community property states, most assets acquired during marriage are split 50/50. In equitable distribution states, judges divide assets “fairly” – which may not align with your wishes.