Let’s Reframe the Prenup: Not a Red Flag, but a Power Move
It’s time to retire the outdated image of prenups as dealbreakers or trust issues in disguise. For today’s young, high earners, a prenuptial agreement is less about planning for failure and more about planning for flexibility, clarity, and control.
Whether you’re a startup founder, an artist with IP rights, or just someone on the path to building long-term wealth, a prenup isn’t a backup plan—it’s a financial blueprint. Like setting up a trust or forming an LLC, it’s one more way to ensure your money and your future are protected as you grow.
What a Prenup Actually Is—and Isn’t
A prenuptial agreement is a legally binding contract entered into before marriage. It outlines how assets, debts, and financial responsibilities will be handled during the marriage, and what happens if the marriage ends, either through divorce or death.
It is not: An assumption of divorce or a lack of faith in your relationship.
It is: An organized financial strategy that safeguards your individual and collective financial goals while providing a roadmap for wealth building together.
Why Millennials and HENRYs Need to Take Prenups Seriously
Let’s face it—your financial world is more complex than your parents’ was. You’re not just working a 9–5 and collecting a pension. You’re building wealth through:
- Equity comp from tech jobs or early-stage startups
- Crypto portfolios and digital assets
- Creative side businesses or freelance income
- Real estate partnerships or LP interests
- Anticipated inheritance from family
If you’re accumulating (or expecting) any of these, then you’re a prime candidate for a prenup—not because you’re protecting what you have today, but because you’re laying the legal groundwork for what you’re building tomorrow.
And if you’re marrying someone who also has assets or ambitions? Even more reason to get aligned early. Many people do not have a prenup: get ahead of the curve A good prenup supports mutual growth without the risk of future misunderstanding.
Debunking the Top Prenup Myths
It’s time to kill the noise and clear up the confusion:
“Prenups are for the rich.”
False. They’re for anyone with future upside—and Millennials and HENRYs are full of upside. From equity grants to family assets to creative income, if you’re building wealth, a prenup belongs in your toolkit.
“Prenups are about distrust.”
Also false. They’re about transparency. A well-crafted prenup fosters honesty, encourages open communication, and ensures both parties are protected.
“We don’t own much yet.”
That’s actually the best time to plan. A prenup isn’t just about current assets—it’s about defining how future earnings, investments, or business ventures will be treated.
“It’ll ruin the romance.”
Only if you let it. If you approach the conversation with respect and shared goals, it becomes a way to deepen your commitment, not question it.
What Goes Into a Smart Prenup
A quality prenup should do more than check legal boxes—it should reflect your financial values and future plans. At minimum, include:
- Full disclosure of all assets, debts, and income sources
- Definition of property types: what stays separate, what’s shared
- Treatment of investments, equity, and earnings during the marriage
- Responsibility for debts, including student loans or business liabilities
- Business ownership clarity, especially for startups or professional practices
- Alimony/spousal support expectations, if any
- Creative clauses—like how proceeds from a trust or an art collection are handled
You can even structure clauses that:
- Define separate growth thresholds (“Any asset growing more than 7% annually remains separate”)
- Establish reinvestment funds for shared ventures
- Shield one partner from the other’s professional or business liabilities
This isn’t just about protecting against divorce—it’s about building a shared financial life on your terms.
Second Marriage? Think of This as Financial EQ 2.0
For those entering a second marriage, the emotional and financial stakes are often higher—and more nuanced. You might be blending families, managing legacy assets, or carrying business equity from a previous chapter.
Here’s where a prenup becomes not just helpful, but essential:
- You want to protect children from prior relationships and ensure inheritance is preserved.
- You may have property or financial accounts from before that you don’t want commingled.
- You’re older, wiser, and know what financial alignment means.
The most successful second-marriage prenups we’ve seen? They aren’t defensive—they’re intentional. They reflect mutual respect, clearly defined expectations, and a desire to build something even stronger the second time around.
Overcoming Emotional Barriers
It’s natural for emotions to run high when discussing prenups, but recognizing common pitfalls can help you navigate the process more successfully:
- Timing matters: Discuss prenups well in advance of your wedding. Don’t rush these conversations or add last-minute stress that can lead to poor decisions or legal challenges later.
- Third-party mediation: Consider involving financial advisors or mediators to keep conversations objective and productive, especially when dealing with complex assets or family dynamics.
- Shared vision: Frame your discussion around building a mutual financial roadmap—not just protection, but empowerment and growth together.
- Address fears head-on: Acknowledge that having fears about prenups is completely normal. Create space for both partners to express concerns without judgment.
- Focus on mutual benefits: Emphasize how a prenup can benefit both partners, not just the wealthier one. For Millennials and HENRYs, this might include protecting both partners from each other’s student debt or clarifying equity compensation handling.
The key is approaching the conversation with respect, transparency, and a focus on your shared future rather than potential problems.
Where Love Meets Logic
At NOYACK, we believe prenups are part of a bigger wealth strategy—what we call your Capital Covenant. It’s how you align your personal values with your financial decisions across major life moments. Our approach focuses on core principles that transform prenups from legal documents into wealth-building tools.
Our Investing for Love curriculum covers:
- Building and protecting family wealth
- Structuring ownership of private assets
- Tax-smart planning for blended families
- Communication tools for high-stakes money conversations
Prenups don’t just prevent problems. They create space for growth—of assets, of partnership, of legacy.
Ready to Build Smart? Here’s Your Next Move
Ready to take control of your financial future and build wealth with intention?
- Start the conversation: Schedule dedicated time to discuss your values, goals, and financial realities without distractions or pressure.
- Gather comprehensive information: Collect and organize your financial details—assets, debts, anticipated inheritances, business interests, and future earnings potential.
- Seek professional guidance: Engage an experienced financial advisor and legal counsel familiar with Millennial and HENRY dynamics, particularly those who understand modern asset types like equity compensation and digital assets.
- Draft your Capital Covenant: Create a document that reflects your shared vision, guided by professionals who understand both the legal requirements and your wealth-building goals.
- Review and revise regularly: Treat your prenup as a living document, revisiting and updating it as your careers evolve, your wealth grows, and your life circumstances change.
A prenup isn’t a prediction—it’s a protection plan. And when you get it right, it’s also an empowerment plan.
