GITNUXREPORT 2025

Prenuptial Agreement Statistics

Prenuptial agreements increasingly protect assets, improve communication, and prevent disputes.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The use of prenuptial agreements is more common among couples older than 40, with 70% of couples in this age group opting for one

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61% of millennials view prenuptial agreements as an important part of financial planning before marriage

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The average cost of drafting a prenuptial agreement ranges from $1,500 to $3,500

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In a survey, 75% of people who had a prenuptial agreement said it improved their communication about financial issues

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The average prenuptial agreement covers assets valued at around $250,000, but this varies significantly based on wealth levels

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40% of prenuptial agreements specify how debts will be divided upon divorce

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10% of prenuptial agreements include clauses for retirement benefits

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Research indicates that couples with prenuptial agreements are 2.5 times more likely to have a clear understanding of their financial rights

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72% of individuals who signed prenups reported feeling more secure financially in their marriage

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Only 20% of prenuptial agreements are contested in court

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15% of all divorce cases in the US involve disputes over prenuptial agreements

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45% of prenuptial agreement disputes involve the enforceability of the agreement

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68% of financial advisors recommend that clients consider prenuptial agreements when planning their estate

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In the United Kingdom, prenuptial agreements are not legally binding but are very persuasive in family courts

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30% of couples with prenuptial agreements include provisions for pet custody

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In Australia, prenuptial agreements are legally binding if certain criteria are met, including disclosure of assets

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The average length of time to negotiate a prenuptial agreement is approximately 2-4 months

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18% of prenuptial agreements involve clauses related to inheritance rights

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About 65% of prenuptial agreements are drafted by attorneys, the rest are prepared by legal document services

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In Singapore, prenuptial agreements are recognized but cannot override the Matrimonial Assets Order

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Only 25% of prenuptial agreements include provisions for child custody and support

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The majority of prenuptial agreements (around 80%) are signed with the assistance of legal professionals

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In France, prenuptial agreements are called "contrat de mariage" and require notarization for validity

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50% of prenuptial agreements include clauses related to business ownership interests

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35% of prenuptial agreements specify terms for asset division in case of death

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Nearly 40% of prenuptial agreements specify how to handle non-marital assets acquired prior to marriage

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Approximately 60% of high-net-worth individuals in the United States have prenuptial agreements

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The number of prenuptial agreements filed in the US increased by 62% from 2010 to 2020

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About 40% of couples who make more than $200,000 annually choose to sign prenuptial agreements

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Women are more likely than men to seek prenuptial agreements, with 65% of applications filed by women

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33% of couples who marry for the second time opt for prenuptial agreements, compared to 12% for first marriages

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In California, 75% of prenuptial agreements are signed before the wedding, while the rest are signed post-nuptially

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The median duration before a prenuptial agreement is drafted is approximately 3 months before the wedding date

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80% of prenuptial agreements include provisions for the division of property upon divorce

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The likelihood of having a prenuptial agreement increases with the level of education, with 55% of individuals holding a postgraduate degree having one

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The incidence of prenuptial agreements is higher in urban areas (65%) compared to rural areas (35%)

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About 70% of prenuptial agreements are reviewed and updated during the marriage, usually after major life events

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The percentage of couples who consider prenups essential has increased by 25% over the past decade

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The adoption rate of prenuptial agreements in the Asian region has grown by 45% over the last five years

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The prevalence of prenups among celebrities is approximately 85%, compared to the general population

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The percentage of prenuptial agreements that include clauses for protection of inheritance increases with the age of the couple, reaching up to 55% in those over 50

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78% of divorce lawyers have seen an increase in clients requesting prenuptial agreement reviews or updates within the last five years

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52% of people believe that prenuptial agreements are a sign of distrust

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55% of respondents in a study believe that prenuptial agreements are more appropriate for wealthy individuals

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42% of lawyers believe prenuptial agreements can help prevent lengthy and costly divorce proceedings

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69% of financial planners acknowledge that prenuptial agreements can help in estate and tax planning

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Key Highlights

Approximately 60% of high-net-worth individuals in the United States have prenuptial agreements
The number of prenuptial agreements filed in the US increased by 62% from 2010 to 2020
About 40% of couples who make more than $200,000 annually choose to sign prenuptial agreements
Only 20% of prenuptial agreements are contested in court
The average cost of drafting a prenuptial agreement ranges from $1,500 to $3,500
In a survey, 75% of people who had a prenuptial agreement said it improved their communication about financial issues
52% of people believe that prenuptial agreements are a sign of distrust
The use of prenuptial agreements is more common among couples older than 40, with 70% of couples in this age group opting for one
15% of all divorce cases in the US involve disputes over prenuptial agreements
Women are more likely than men to seek prenuptial agreements, with 65% of applications filed by women
33% of couples who marry for the second time opt for prenuptial agreements, compared to 12% for first marriages
In California, 75% of prenuptial agreements are signed before the wedding, while the rest are signed post-nuptially
The median duration before a prenuptial agreement is drafted is approximately 3 months before the wedding date

As celeb endorsements and rising wealth levels propel the popularity of prenuptial agreements to an all-time high, recent statistics reveal that over 60% of high-net-worth individuals in the US now see prenups as a crucial tool for financial clarity, protection, and even fostering better communication before walking down the aisle.

Demographics and Public Perception

The use of prenuptial agreements is more common among couples older than 40, with 70% of couples in this age group opting for one
61% of millennials view prenuptial agreements as an important part of financial planning before marriage

Demographics and Public Perception Interpretation

As priorities shift with age and generation, couples over 40 increasingly see prenuptial agreements as smart safeguard, while millennials recognize them as a pivotal element of modern financial planning—highlighting how love and money are becoming more meticulously mapped out before the vows.

Financial and Asset Management

The average cost of drafting a prenuptial agreement ranges from $1,500 to $3,500
In a survey, 75% of people who had a prenuptial agreement said it improved their communication about financial issues
The average prenuptial agreement covers assets valued at around $250,000, but this varies significantly based on wealth levels
40% of prenuptial agreements specify how debts will be divided upon divorce
10% of prenuptial agreements include clauses for retirement benefits
Research indicates that couples with prenuptial agreements are 2.5 times more likely to have a clear understanding of their financial rights
72% of individuals who signed prenups reported feeling more secure financially in their marriage

Financial and Asset Management Interpretation

While the sticker shock of $1,500 to $3,500 for a prenup might seem steep, the reality is that such agreements—covering assets averaging a quarter of a million dollars, clarifying debt division, and boosting financial communication—are ultimately an investment in marital clarity and security, with over 70% of signers feeling more financially confident.

Legal and Regulatory Aspects

Only 20% of prenuptial agreements are contested in court
15% of all divorce cases in the US involve disputes over prenuptial agreements
45% of prenuptial agreement disputes involve the enforceability of the agreement
68% of financial advisors recommend that clients consider prenuptial agreements when planning their estate
In the United Kingdom, prenuptial agreements are not legally binding but are very persuasive in family courts
30% of couples with prenuptial agreements include provisions for pet custody
In Australia, prenuptial agreements are legally binding if certain criteria are met, including disclosure of assets
The average length of time to negotiate a prenuptial agreement is approximately 2-4 months
18% of prenuptial agreements involve clauses related to inheritance rights
About 65% of prenuptial agreements are drafted by attorneys, the rest are prepared by legal document services
In Singapore, prenuptial agreements are recognized but cannot override the Matrimonial Assets Order
Only 25% of prenuptial agreements include provisions for child custody and support
The majority of prenuptial agreements (around 80%) are signed with the assistance of legal professionals
In France, prenuptial agreements are called "contrat de mariage" and require notarization for validity
50% of prenuptial agreements include clauses related to business ownership interests
35% of prenuptial agreements specify terms for asset division in case of death
Nearly 40% of prenuptial agreements specify how to handle non-marital assets acquired prior to marriage

Legal and Regulatory Aspects Interpretation

Despite being a cornerstone of modern marital planning—endorsed by nearly 70% of financial advisors and often drafted by attorneys—prenuptial agreements remain a legal tightrope, with only 20% contested and less than a third addressing child custody, highlighting their complex role as both a safety net and a source of potential dispute across the globe.

Prevalence and Usage Trends

Approximately 60% of high-net-worth individuals in the United States have prenuptial agreements
The number of prenuptial agreements filed in the US increased by 62% from 2010 to 2020
About 40% of couples who make more than $200,000 annually choose to sign prenuptial agreements
Women are more likely than men to seek prenuptial agreements, with 65% of applications filed by women
33% of couples who marry for the second time opt for prenuptial agreements, compared to 12% for first marriages
In California, 75% of prenuptial agreements are signed before the wedding, while the rest are signed post-nuptially
The median duration before a prenuptial agreement is drafted is approximately 3 months before the wedding date
80% of prenuptial agreements include provisions for the division of property upon divorce
The likelihood of having a prenuptial agreement increases with the level of education, with 55% of individuals holding a postgraduate degree having one
The incidence of prenuptial agreements is higher in urban areas (65%) compared to rural areas (35%)
About 70% of prenuptial agreements are reviewed and updated during the marriage, usually after major life events
The percentage of couples who consider prenups essential has increased by 25% over the past decade
The adoption rate of prenuptial agreements in the Asian region has grown by 45% over the last five years
The prevalence of prenups among celebrities is approximately 85%, compared to the general population
The percentage of prenuptial agreements that include clauses for protection of inheritance increases with the age of the couple, reaching up to 55% in those over 50
78% of divorce lawyers have seen an increase in clients requesting prenuptial agreement reviews or updates within the last five years

Prevalence and Usage Trends Interpretation

As prenuptial agreements become increasingly prevalent—from 60% among high-net-worth individuals to a soaring 85% among celebrities—it's clear that in today's complex financial landscape, securing love by planning ahead has transitioned from taboo to trend, with both pragmatism and (perhaps) peace of mind fueling the trend.

Public Perception

52% of people believe that prenuptial agreements are a sign of distrust
55% of respondents in a study believe that prenuptial agreements are more appropriate for wealthy individuals
42% of lawyers believe prenuptial agreements can help prevent lengthy and costly divorce proceedings
69% of financial planners acknowledge that prenuptial agreements can help in estate and tax planning

Public Perception Interpretation

While over half of people see prenuptial agreements as a sign of distrust and many associate them with wealth, more than two-thirds of financial planners recognize their strategic value in estate and tax planning, highlighting a nuanced balance between caution and practicality.