Prenup vs Postnup: Understanding the Key Differences

You’re planning a future together and starting to talk about finances. Maybe you’re engaged and want to protect what you’re bringing into the marriage, or maybe you’ve already said “I do” and built new assets, like a business or a home. Either way, you want to make sure everything is clear and protected.

That’s where prenuptial and postnuptial agreements come in. Both help couples plan ahead by defining how assets, debts, and responsibilities will be handled if life takes an unexpected turn.

But what’s the difference between a prenup and a postnup, and which one makes sense for your situation? Can you get a prenup after marriage? It can be confusing to figure out where to start, so we’re breaking it all down for you with professional insight from one of our trusted LegalShield provider lawyers.

In this guide, you’ll learn the differences between a postnuptial vs. prenuptial agreement, when to use them, and how they can help protect your family and your future.

What is a prenup?

A prenuptial agreement (or prenup) is a written deal you and your future spouse create and sign together before you get married. It outlines how you and your spouse will divide debts, assets, and other property if you get divorced later.

Think of it like making a plan before you start a trip. You decide ahead of time who owns what and how things will work.

People use prenups to take care of some of these common problems:

• Keep property they owned before marriage
• Protect money their family gives them
• Make sure their kids from other relationships get certain things
• Decide who will pay spousal support from a separate account (money to an ex-spouse)

A prenup helps couples start their marriage with everything out in the open. Everyone knows the rules from day one.

What is a postnup?

A postnuptial agreement (or postnup) does the same job as a prenup. It lays out how you as the married couple will split up assets, debts, and other possessions if you get a divorce. In many ways, it is similar to a prenup, but it is signed after the wedding.

So, what is a postnup used for? Couples choose postnups when things change during their marriage.

• Maybe one spouse starts a business
• Maybe someone gets money from their family
• Maybe the couple had problems, but they still want to work things out with some boundaries in place

A postnup lets married couples make a new plan that fits their current life. It's never too late to get clear about money and property.

What is the difference between a prenup and postnup?

The answer starts with timing. But there's more to know about prenup vs. postnup agreements.

Here are the main differences in prenup vs. postnuptial agreements:

How courts view prenups vs. postnups

• Prenups usually get less questioning from judges
• Postnups may get looked at more carefully
• Courts can challenge both agreements if they seem unfair, coerced or fraudulent

For prenups and postnups to be valid, they must be in writing, signed voluntarily by both parties, and include full and fair financial disclosure. Courts may also look at whether the agreement is fair and reasonable, if both parties had independent legal counsel, and if the agreement meets the specific state requirements like notarization or witnesses.

Emily Haskew, a LegalShield provider lawyer with Anderson, Williams & Farrow, LLC, says,

“Postnuptials may be scrutinized more because courts view spouses as owing each other fiduciary duties."

She adds:

"All contracts require consideration. The marriage is the consideration in a prenuptial agreement whereas some states may not see 'staying married' as sufficient consideration and may require that one spouse agrees to or conveys something separate in addition to just 'staying married'."

The longer you're married, the more mixed up your money and stuff becomes. This can make postnups trickier. But with good legal help, both types of agreements can work well.

Can prenups be signed after marriage?

No. Once you say "I do," you can't sign a prenup anymore.

The "pre" in prenup means "before." After marriage, any agreement you make is called a postnup instead.

This confuses many people when thinking about prenup vs. postnup options. But don't worry! A postnup can do almost everything a prenup does. You just call it something different because you're already married.

Is a postnup as good as a prenup?

This is one of the most common questions about prenup vs. postnup agreements: "Is a postnup as good as a prenup?"

The short answer? Yes, it can be just as strong. But it needs to be done right.

Haskew explains:

"A postnup can be just as strong as a prenup if it's properly prepared and meets the stricter standards courts apply after marriage. Some states review postnups more closely than prenups, so it's important to have it drafted by someone experienced with that state's laws and court rulings."

Here's what makes postnups different:

• Judges look at them more carefully
• Remember that both can protect you. Prenups just have a small advantage because they're made before money and property get mixed together.

Haskew points out the legal benefits of prenups:

"Generally speaking, prenups are somewhat easier to enforce due to less scrutiny from the courts because assets haven't yet significantly commingled and the agreement is pre-marriage." She adds that "none of the courts require additional consideration other than the marriage itself to enforce a prenuptial agreement."

With the right legal help, your postnup can be just as powerful as any prenup.

Benefits of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

Both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements give couples important benefits. These agreements help in many ways:

Protection and clarity:

• You know exactly what happens to your stuff if you divorce
• Less fighting and confusion during a hard time
• Each person keeps what's important to them
• Family property and inheritances stay protected

Financial security:

• Businesses stay safe
• Everyone knows who pays which debts
• No surprises about money

Peace of mind:

• Both partners feel secure
• Open and honest talks about money
• Confidence in your financial future
• Fairness for everyone

Understanding prenup vs. postnup benefits shows that both agreements serve similar purposes. They're about planning ahead and protecting what matters most to your family.

When to choose a prenup vs postnup

So when should you pick a prenup? And when does a postnup make more sense? Choose a prenup if you are engaged and want to create a financial plan before getting married, especially if you or your fiancé have significant debts, assets or business interests. Choose a postnup if you are already married and need to address new financial circumstances, such as an inheritance, a new business, or reconciliation after a rough patch. The key difference is the timing: prenups are before marriage, postnups are after. 

When to choose a prenup:

• You're not married yet
• You own property or have savings before marriage
• You have kids from another relationship
• Your family plans to give you money or property
• You own a business
• One person has a lot of debt

When to choose a postnup:

• You're already married
• Your money situation changed (new job, business, or inheritance)
• You want to protect a new business
• One spouse got family money after the wedding
• You're working through relationship problems
• You didn't make a prenup but wish you had

Haskew answers the question about timing:

"There is no statutory time limit; a postnuptial agreement may be executed at any point during the marriage. However, the longer the marriage continues and the more the spouses' assets become commingled, the greater the level of scrutiny a court is likely to apply."

The difference between prenup and postnup timing is simple. If you're engaged, get a prenup. If you're married, get a postnup. Both work—you just need to pick the right one for where you are now.

What can make a prenup or postnup invalid?

Even when done right, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements can sometimes be thrown out by courts. It's important to know what can go wrong.

Haskew explains what might void a prenup:

For prenups:

• Hidden money – not telling the truth about what you own
• No lawyers – each person should have their own lawyer (or officially say they don't want one)
• Too unfair – so one-sided that one person would have nothing
• Wrong paperwork – not written down, not signed right, or doesn't follow state rules
• Child support – you can never give up child support in any agreement

For postnups, the same problems apply, as well as these additional issues:

• Fighting timing – signed during a big fight or right before divorce
• Change in circumstance – signed right after one spouse inherits or sells something big

Haskew notes:

"If one spouse tries to waive receiving child support, child support cannot be waived." This rule protects children and applies to both prenup vs. postnuptial agreements.

The key? Work with a good lawyer who knows your state's rules. This helps make sure your agreement will hold up if you ever need it.

Protecting your future with the right agreement

Now you understand prenup vs. postnup agreements. Both are powerful tools that help couples plan for the future. The main difference between a prenup and postnup is timing—before marriage or after.

The most important step? Work with an experienced lawyer who understands your state's laws. They'll make sure your agreement is fair, complete, and will hold up in court.

Get legal guidance today

Thinking about a prenup or postnup? Don't go it alone. LegalShield offers you access to dedicated provider law firms with lawyers who can guide you through creating prenuptial and postnuptial agreements that protect what matters most to you.

Whether you need help with a prenup, postnup, or other family law matters, LegalShield makes quality legal help affordable and accessible. Our experienced provider attorneys understand the ins and outs of prenup vs. postnup agreements and can answer your questions about these important documents and more.

Ready to protect your future? Visit LegalShield's Family Law page today to learn how we can help with all your family law needs.

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Written by Elyse Dillard, Content Specialist at LegalShield. Elyse creates educational resources about legal and identity theft protection services. She works to make complex legal concepts more accessible to readers and has contributed to numerous articles on the LegalShield blog.

Emily Haskew received her B.S. degree in 2010 from Troy University. Immediately thereafter, she joined and served in the U.S. Army as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. After discovering her passion for law, she obtained her J.D. in May 2020. Prior to joining Anderson, Williams, & Farrow, LLC, she was a solo attorney in private practice focused on general practice matters. She is admitted to practice in the United States Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and Federal Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Alabama.

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