Real Prenup Examples & Samples That Actually Work (2025)

Let me guess: you've been Googling “prenup examples” for the past hour and keep finding the same generic legal templates that look like they were written in 1952. Well, here's the thing — you're not alone.

In fact, 15% of couples now have a prenuptial agreement (compared to just 3% in 2010), and most of them started exactly where you are: trying to figure out what does a real prenup look like.

Here's what we're going to do. Instead of throwing vague legal jargon at you, I'm going to show you actual prenup examples from real couples — tech entrepreneurs protecting their startups, second marriages preserving inheritances for kids, and yes, even a few celebrity prenup examples that offer surprisingly practical lessons.

More precisely, you'll see what works, what doesn't, and how couples with different situations structure their prenuptial agreements. No law degree required, I promise.

Understanding Real-World Prenup Examples

Okay, but what makes a prenup example “real” versus just another template you could download?

Here's the difference: real prenup samples show you the actual language couples use to protect specific assets, the reasoning behind each clause, and the context that makes them work. It's not about copying and pasting — it's about understanding what a prenuptial agreement is and how it applies to your situation.

What Makes These Examples Effective

The prenups that actually hold up (and don't cause resentment down the line) share a few key characteristics:

They're specific without being excessive. You don't need a 50-page document, but “we keep our stuff separate” won't cut it legally. The sweet spot? Clear definitions of what's separate property, what becomes marital property, and how you'll handle future assets.

They address the elephant in the room. Debt. In fact, 65% of couples cite debt protection as a primary reason for getting a prenup. If one of you has $150,000 in student loans and the other has $200,000 in savings, pretending that won't matter is… well, not realistic.

They're actually enforceable. Here's what people don't realize: you can write whatever you want in a prenup, but courts throw out clauses that are “unconscionable” (aka grossly unfair) or that try to determine child custody. More on what doesn't work later.

💡 Key insight: The best prenups aren't about planning for divorce — they're about having honest conversations about money before you're legally and emotionally entangled. 83.81% of couples report feeling more connected after creating their prenup. Yes, really.

Simple Prenup Examples for Young Couples

Let's start with the most common scenario: you're in your late twenties or early thirties, you've got some savings, maybe student debt, and you want something straightforward. These simple prenup examples are what most couples actually use.

Here's what that looks like in practice.

Basic Asset Protection Example

Meet Sarah and Mike (not their real names, but this is their actual situation). Sarah's a software engineer who's been working for five years — she's saved $200,000 and has equity in a tech startup. Mike's in medical school with $150,000 in student loans.

Their prenup clause looked like this:

“Each party's premarital assets, including Sarah's savings account at [Bank Name] containing approximately $200,000 and her equity stake in [Company Name], shall remain separate property. Each party's premarital debts, including Mike's student loans totaling approximately $150,000, shall remain the sole responsibility of the party who incurred them.”

Why it works: Specific dollar amounts, named accounts, clear separation. No ambiguity about who owns what or who owes what.

Cost: $599 through an online platform (they used HelloPrenup, which has become popular with younger couples — 75% of their users are 18-39 years old).

Want to see how easy this process can be? HelloPrenup walks couples through creating their agreement for just $599 – compared to $8,000+ with traditional attorneys. Over 75% of users are 18-39, and 52% of conversations are started by women. Get started in minutes, complete in days. Ready to create your own?

Student Debt Protection Example

Here's the thing about student loans: if you don't address them in a prenup, your spouse could end up responsible for them in some states. Not exactly the wedding gift anyone wants.

Sample clause:

“Any student loan debt incurred by either party before marriage, including but not limited to loans held by [Lender Names], shall remain separate debt. Future income earned during marriage shall not be used to calculate liability for premarital educational debt in the event of divorce.”

This is particularly important because 52% of prenup conversations are actually initiated by women, often because they're protecting their partner from their own debt. (Surprise twist, right?)

Business Owner Prenup Examples

Now we're getting into territory where things can get expensive if you mess up. If either of you owns a business, you need to be very, very clear about what happens to it. These prenup examples for business owners show you the actual protective language that works.

Tech Entrepreneur Sample Clauses

Let's say you're founding a startup pre-marriage. Your equity could be worth $50,000 today or $50 million in five years. Without a prenup, your spouse might have a claim to the increased value — even if they never worked in the business.

Typical protection language:

“The business known as [Company Name], currently valued at approximately $X, shall remain the separate property of [Owner Name]. Any increase in value of said business during marriage, including stock appreciation, new equity grants, or business acquisitions, shall remain separate property, provided that [Owner Name] can demonstrate the increase resulted from premarital efforts, market conditions, or the reinvestment of separate property.”

Important note: Courts get tricky about this. If your spouse actively contributes to the business (answering emails, attending events, providing strategic advice), they might have a claim regardless of what your prenup says. That's where you need specific language about “active contribution” thresholds.

Small Business Protection Example

Jennifer and David both owned businesses when they got married — her marketing agency and his construction company. Both were second marriages, both had kids from prior relationships.

Their approach:

“Each party's business interest (Jennifer's 100% ownership of [Agency Name] and David's 75% ownership of [Construction LLC]) shall remain separate property. Neither party shall have any claim to the other's business revenues, assets, or liabilities. In the event of dissolution, each party waives any claim to compensation for indirect business support (including but not limited to networking, advice, or administrative assistance).”

Cost: $4,000 with traditional attorneys (because business valuations required professional review).

The smart part: They explicitly addressed “indirect support” — because Jennifer did introduce David to three major clients. Without that clause, she could have argued for compensation.

High Net Worth Prenup Examples

When the numbers get bigger, the details get more important. Here's what couples with significant assets actually include.

Multiple Properties Example

Let's say you own a house worth $800,000, a rental property worth $400,000, and your partner has a condo worth $300,000. All purchased before marriage.

Sample clause:

“The following real properties shall remain separate property: [Address 1] owned by Party A, valued at approximately $800,000; [Address 2] owned by Party A, valued at approximately $400,000; [Address 3] owned by Party B, valued at approximately $300,000. Any appreciation in value shall remain separate property. Rental income from separate property shall be considered separate income, provided separate property funds are not commingled with marital funds.”

The catch: If you use marital income to pay the mortgage or make improvements, things get complicated. Some couples create a “reimbursement schedule” — if marital funds improve a separate property, the marital estate gets paid back first in a divorce.

Investment Portfolio Protection

Here's what the median couple using online prenup platforms has: about $78,000 in assets. But some couples have significantly more — investment portfolios, retirement accounts, stock options.

Effective clause structure:

“Investment accounts held by [Name] at [Institution], including but not limited to Account #XXX (valued at approximately $X), Account #YYY (valued at approximately $Y), shall remain separate property. Investment gains, dividends, and interest generated from separate investment accounts shall remain separate property, provided no marital funds are contributed to said accounts.”

Why the detail matters: One couple forgot to specify that investment gains stay separate. Result? When their $500,000 portfolio grew to $1.2 million during a 10-year marriage, the increase was considered marital property. Expensive oversight.

Celebrity Prenup Examples & Lessons

Okay, but let's talk about the entertaining stuff for a minute — because celebrity prenup examples actually teach us a lot about what works (and what spectacularly doesn't).

These high-profile prenuptial agreement examples show patterns that regular couples can adapt.

Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Case Study

Their prenup was reportedly ironclad: separate income streams, separate business ownership, separate property. When they divorced, it was relatively clean (by celebrity standards) because everything was clearly defined from day one.

What they protected:

• Kim's entertainment empire and brand deals (stayed separate)
• Kanye's music catalog and Yeezy brand (stayed separate)
• Real estate purchased during marriage (split according to pre-determined percentages)

The lesson for regular couples: If you're earning significantly different incomes, specify what happens to that income during marriage. “Community property” rules vary by state, but a prenup can override them.

What Regular Couples Can Learn

Here's what Beyoncé and Jay-Z's rumored prenup taught us (reportedly $5 million per child born during marriage, $1 million for each year of marriage):

Escalator clauses are a thing. Your prenup doesn't have to be all-or-nothing. Some couples include increasing spousal support based on length of marriage. After 5 years: $X. After 10 years: $Y. After 20 years: $Z.

But here's the reality check: The average couple isn't working with $250 million+ in assets like Mary-Kate Olsen or negotiating $100 million settlements like Tiger Woods. Your prenup should reflect your actual situation, not celebrity fantasies.

What you can borrow: the principle of proportional contribution. If one person earns significantly more, some prenups specify that marital expenses are split proportionally (70/30 if one earns 70% of household income), while excess income remains separate.

Second Marriage Prenup Examples

Second marriages have different considerations — kids from previous relationships, established assets, sometimes alimony obligations from the first marriage. Let's get into it.

Blended Family Protection

When you have children from a previous marriage, your prenup becomes about protecting their inheritance. This is non-negotiable for most second-marriage couples.

Sample inheritance clause:

“Each party acknowledges that they have children from previous relationships. In the event of death during marriage, each party's separate property and designated assets (as outlined in Exhibit A) shall pass to their respective children as specified in their individual wills. This agreement supersedes community property laws regarding inheritance distribution.”

Inheritance Preservation Example

Real scenario: One spouse receives a $500,000 inheritance from their parents during marriage. Without a prenup (or postnup in this case), that inheritance could become marital property if it's deposited in a joint account or used to buy marital assets. (If you're specifically dealing with inheritance protection, there are detailed strategies for prenups focused on inheritance that go even deeper.)

Protective clause:

“Any inheritance received by either party, before or during marriage, shall remain separate property. Inherited funds shall be maintained in separate accounts. If inherited separate property is used to purchase assets during marriage, those assets shall retain their separate property character, provided clear documentation of the source of funds is maintained.”

Cost for this couple: $3,500 (because they actually did this as a postnup after receiving the inheritance, which required additional legal review). Timing matters — if you're curious about when a prenup versus postnup makes more sense, that's worth understanding before you're in this situation.

Common Prenup Clauses with Real Examples

Let's break down the most common prenup clauses examples you'll see and what they actually mean in practice. These are the building blocks of most agreements.

📊 Data based on analysis of prenup enforceability across US states and attorney reports.

Debt Allocation Clauses

This is huge. Remember: in some states, debt incurred during marriage becomes joint debt, even if only one spouse signed for it.

Standard debt clause:

“Debt incurred by either party before marriage shall remain the separate obligation of that party. Debt incurred during marriage shall be allocated as follows: (a) debt for joint purchases requires written consent of both parties and becomes joint debt; (b) debt for individual purchases, expenses, or obligations remains separate debt; (c) business debt incurred by a business owner-spouse remains that spouse's separate obligation.”

Why this matters: 62% of divorce attorneys report that debt disputes are increasing. Credit card debt, car loans, even medical bills — if you don't specify, you're rolling the dice on state law.

Spousal Support Examples

Here's what most people don't realize: you can agree to waive spousal support entirely, or you can create a formula.

Waiver example:

“Both parties hereby waive any right to spousal support, maintenance, or alimony in the event of divorce, regardless of the duration of marriage or change in financial circumstances.”

Formula example (more common):

“In the event of divorce after less than 5 years of marriage, neither party shall be entitled to spousal support. After 5 years but less than 10 years, spousal support shall not exceed $X per month for Y months. After 10 years, spousal support shall be determined by [specific formula or state guidelines].”

The reality: Some states won't enforce complete spousal support waivers if one spouse would become destitute. But courts generally uphold reasonable formulas.

Business Protection Language

If you own a business, this is your most important clause. Period.

Comprehensive protection:

“The business [Name], owned X% by [Spouse Name], shall remain separate property. The non-owner spouse waives any claim to: (a) business income and profits; (b) business appreciation in value; (c) compensation for indirect contributions; (d) business assets or inventory; (e) client relationships or goodwill. In the event of divorce, the owner-spouse agrees to provide a certified business valuation within 30 days for informational purposes only, but the non-owner spouse waives any distribution claim.”

Critical addition: A “buy-sell agreement” that prevents your ex-spouse from becoming a business partner with your co-founders. Your business partners will thank you.

State-Specific Prenup Examples

Here's where things get interesting: prenup enforceability varies significantly by state. What works in California might not fly in Texas. These state-specific examples show you how prenup laws by state affect the actual agreement language.

California Community Property Example

California is a community property state — meaning everything acquired during marriage is 50/50, regardless of who earned it or whose name is on it.

Sample override clause:

“Notwithstanding California's community property laws, the parties agree that the following shall be treated as separate property: (a) income earned from separate property investments; (b) retirement account contributions from separate property funds; (c) business interests owned prior to marriage, including appreciation; (d) real property titled in one spouse's name only, provided no marital funds are used for improvements or mortgage payments.”

Important: California requires both spouses to have independent legal counsel for prenup enforcement. That's non-negotiable.

Texas Separate Property Sample

Texas is also community property, but with different rules about what can remain separate.

Texas-specific language:

“Under Texas Family Code, the following shall be characterized as separate property: (a) property owned or claimed before marriage; (b) property acquired during marriage by gift, devise, or descent; (c) recovery for personal injuries sustained during marriage (except for loss of earning capacity). This prenuptial agreement further specifies that income and appreciation from separate property shall remain separate, overriding the presumption of community property.”

The catch: In Texas, if you can't prove something is separate property, it's presumed to be community property. Your prenup shifts that burden of proof.

🗺️ Always consult your state's specific requirements – this table provides general guidance only.

How to Use These Prenup Examples for Your Situation

Okay, so you've seen prenup examples from young couples, business owners, high net worth individuals, celebrities, and second marriages. Now what?

Here's what you should NOT do: Copy and paste any of these real prenup samples into your own agreement. Every situation is different, and courts can invalidate prenups that are clearly copied without understanding.

Here's what you SHOULD do:

💡 75% of HelloPrenup users are 18-39 years old, with median assets around $78,000.

1️⃣ Identify which example most closely matches your situation. Are you protecting premarital assets? Business interests? Managing debt? Preserving inheritance? Start there.

2️⃣ List your specific assets, debts, and concerns. Get actual numbers. “Some savings” doesn't cut it — you need “$47,000 in a Vanguard account” level of specificity.

3️⃣ Understand your state's default rules. Community property state? Equitable distribution state? This determines what you're actually overriding.

4️⃣ Decide on your approach. Some couples want everything separate. Some want income during marriage to be joint, but premarital assets separate. Some want a hybrid formula. There's no “right” answer — just what works for you.

5️⃣ Use a platform or attorney who knows your state's requirements. This matters. A lot. Some states require witnesses, notarization, independent counsel, full financial disclosure, or a minimum waiting period between signing and marriage.

The cost reality check: Traditional attorneys charge an average of $8,000 for prenups (both spouses typically hire their own attorney). Online platforms range from $599 to $1,500. The median couple using these platforms has about $78,000 in assets — if that sounds like you, the online route might make sense. (Want to understand exactly how much a prenup costs and what drives those price differences? That breakdown might help your budgeting.)

Modern platforms like HelloPrenup make prenups accessible, affordable, and straightforward — turning what used to be an $8,000+ process into something most couples can actually afford. It's part of why prenup adoption has jumped from 3% to 15% of couples in just 15 years.

Fair warning: If you have complex business interests, real estate portfolios over $1 million, or significant income disparity, spend the money on attorneys. The $8,000 now is cheaper than the $50,000+ litigation later.

What Prenup Clauses Are NOT Enforceable

Before we wrap up, let's talk about what you can't include, because I see this confusion all the time.

Courts will throw out:

❌ Child custody or child support provisions. You can't predetermine custody arrangements or waive child support. Courts decide based on “best interest of the child” at the time of divorce, period.

❌ Incentives for divorce. Clauses like “if you cheat, you get nothing” are often unenforceable as “penalty clauses.” (Some states allow them, but it's risky.)

❌ Unconscionable terms. If one spouse gets everything and the other gets nothing, courts often invalidate the entire prenup as “grossly unfair.”

❌ Non-financial personal obligations. Who does dishes, how often you have sex, pet custody — not legally binding (though people try).

❌ Provisions obtained through fraud, duress, or coercion. If your fiancé presents a prenup 24 hours before the wedding with no time to review, that's duress. Courts will invalidate it.

The key principle: Prenups govern financial and property rights. They can't govern personal behavior or override laws designed to protect children.

Final Thoughts

Here's what I want you to take away from all these prenup examples: prenups aren't about distrust or planning for failure. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, 83.81% of couples report feeling more connected after creating their prenup.

Why? Because you're having honest conversations about money, debt, expectations, and what happens if life doesn't go as planned. That's mature. That's smart.

The couples whose prenups actually work — the Sarahs and Mikes protecting against student debt, the Jennifers and Davids safeguarding their businesses, the second-marriage couples preserving inheritances for their kids — they all started where you are right now: looking for real prenup samples, trying to understand what actually works.

You've now seen what works for different situations. You understand the key prenup clauses examples. You know what's enforceable and what's not. You're ready to have informed conversations about your own agreement.

Over 2 million couples got married in 2022, and an increasing number are choosing to start their marriage with financial clarity. Platforms like HelloPrenup have made prenups accessible to couples who might have skipped them a decade ago because of the $8,000+ price tag — now you can create a legally sound agreement for a fraction of that cost.

As you can see, creating a prenup is much more than just a legal formality — it's a smart, strategic way to protect both partners and start your marriage with honest communication about money.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a real prenup actually look like?

A real prenup is a 10-25 page legal document (not the 50-page monster you're imagining) that specifically identifies each person's assets and debts, defines what stays separate versus what becomes marital property, and outlines what happens financially if you divorce. The prenup examples in this article show you actual clause language from real couples — specific dollar amounts, named accounts, and clear definitions. Real prenup samples include concrete details, not vague generalities.

Are celebrity prenup examples realistic for regular couples?

Not really. Celebrity prenup examples often include $5 million-per-child clauses and $100 million settlements that don't apply to couples with median assets around $78,000. However, the principles are useful: protecting separate business income, using escalator clauses based on marriage length, and addressing income disparity. Scale the concepts to your situation, not the dollar amounts. Celebrity prenuptial agreement examples show strategies, not templates.

What are the most common clauses in real prenups?

The most common prenup clauses examples address: (1) debt protection — keeping premarital debt separate, (2) asset characterization — defining what stays separate property versus marital property, (3) business protection — preventing a spouse from gaining ownership in a pre-existing business, (4) spousal support — waiving it or creating a formula, and (5) inheritance protection — ensuring inheritances pass to intended beneficiaries, not an ex-spouse. These appear in virtually all prenuptial agreement examples.

How detailed should prenup examples be?

Detailed enough to be enforceable, but not excessive. You need specific account names and approximate values (“Vanguard account #12345, valued at approximately $50,000”), not vague terms like “some savings.” Courts require specificity to enforce agreements. However, you don't need to list every piece of furniture — focus on significant assets over $5,000. Real prenup samples show this level of detail consistently.

Can I use these examples as templates?

You can use these prenup examples as guides to understand what effective clauses look like, but don't copy-paste them into your own agreement. Every state has different requirements, and courts can invalidate prenups that are clearly copied without customization to your situation. Use these real prenup samples to inform conversations with your attorney or when using an online platform that's customized for your state. They're educational examples, not fill-in-the-blank templates.

What prenup clauses are not enforceable?

Courts won't enforce clauses about child custody or child support (determined by “best interest of child” at divorce), “penalty clauses” for personal behavior like infidelity (in most states), unconscionable terms that leave one spouse destitute, non-financial personal obligations (who cooks dinner), or provisions obtained through fraud, duress, or coercion. Prenups govern financial rights, not personal behavior.

How do state laws affect these examples?

Significantly. Community property states (California, Texas, Arizona, Idaho, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, Wisconsin) presume 50/50 splits of marital assets, so your prenup must explicitly override that. Equitable distribution states divide assets “fairly” (not necessarily equally), giving judges more discretion. Some states require independent attorneys for both parties, witnesses, notarization, or specific waiting periods. Always check your state's requirements.

How much does a prenup cost compared to these examples?

Traditional attorneys charge an average of $8,000 for prenups (both parties typically hire separate counsel). The couples in these prenup examples who used online platforms paid $599-$1,500 for simpler agreements. Business owners with complex assets paid $3,500-$4,000 with traditional attorneys because they needed professional valuations and more legal review. Your cost depends on your complexity and whether you choose the online or traditional route. Simple prenup examples generally cost less than complex business protection agreements.