Prenup Cost Calculator

Q: How much does a prenuptial agreement cost on average?

The average prenuptial agreement costs $2,500–$7,500 total for both parties. Simple prenups cost $1,500–$3,000. High net worth prenups cost $10,000–$25,000+. Attorney fees in NY and CA are 30–40% higher than the national average.

Q: Is a DIY prenuptial agreement legally valid?

A DIY prenup can be valid but carries higher enforcement risk. Online templates cost $300–$500 but may miss state-specific requirements. At minimum, have a family law attorney review it ($400–$800) before signing.

Q: When is a prenup worth the cost?

A prenup is worth it when one or both spouses have significant assets, a business, real estate, or substantial income difference. At $3,000–$7,000, the cost is trivial compared to protecting assets worth $200,000+.

Q: What is a postnuptial agreement and does it cost more?

A postnuptial agreement is signed after marriage. It typically costs 10–20% more than a prenup due to greater judicial scrutiny. Not all states recognize postnups — California, New York, Texas, and Florida generally do.

Q: How early before the wedding should we start the prenup process?

Start at least 3–6 months before the wedding. Rushing a prenup within 30 days raises court scrutiny. Allow 60 days minimum for: consultation, financial disclosure, drafting, negotiations, independent review, and signing.

Calculate the cost of a prenuptial agreement based on complexity and state. Compare DIY vs. attorney-drafted options and see postnuptial agreement pricing.

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Agreement Complexity

State

Spouse A Total Assets

Higher assets = more complex agreement

Spouse B Total Assets

Estimated Prenuptial Agreement Cost

$3,900 – $7,800

Complexity LevelModerate

Average Total Cost$5,850

Spouse A Attorney$3,218

Spouse B (Ind. Counsel)$2,633

vs. Avg Divorce CostSaves ~$9,149 if divorce

Total Assets at Stake$280,000

Advanced Analysis

Fee charts by complexity level, attorney hours model for both spouses, and full state-by-state cost comparison.

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State

Prenup Cost by Complexity Level

Simple$2,100 – $4,200

Basic asset protection, no business • ~6 attorney hours

Moderate$4,200 – $8,400

Real estate, investments, some debt • ~12 attorney hours

Complex$8,400 – $16,800

Business interests, multiple properties • ~25 attorney hours

High Net Worth$16,800 – $35,000

$2M+ assets, trusts, international • ~50 attorney hours

State multiplier: 1.40x • Avg hourly rate: $450/hr

Professional Tools

Asset categorization guide, business protection modeling, sunset clause analysis, and enforcement probability scorer.

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Asset Categorization & Protection Guide

Real Estate

High Complexity

Examples: Pre-marital home, rental properties

Protection tip: Title stays in original owner's name; document mortgage paydown

Business Interests

Very High Complexity

Examples: LLC, corporation, partnership

Protection tip: Business valuation at marriage + annual buyback right

Investment Accounts

Medium Complexity

Examples: Brokerage, stocks, bonds

Protection tip: Document starting balance; commingling is the main risk

Retirement Accounts

Medium Complexity

Examples: 401k, IRA, pension

Protection tip: Pre-marital contributions protected; only marital contributions split

Inheritance

Low–Medium Complexity

Examples: Cash, property, trusts

Protection tip: Keep inherited assets separate; document provenance

Intellectual Property

High Complexity

Examples: Patents, royalties, copyrights

Protection tip: Pre-marital IP stays; future revenue sharing needs explicit clause

How Much Does a Prenuptial Agreement Cost?

A prenuptial agreement in the United States typically costs $1,500–$10,000+ depending on the complexity of your assets, your state, and the attorneys you hire. Simple agreements protecting basic assets cost $1,500–$3,000. Complex agreements involving businesses, multiple properties, investments, and alimony waivers cost $5,000–$15,000 or more.

Cost Factors

Complexity: Simple ($1,500–$3,000) | Moderate ($3,000–$6,000) | Complex ($6,000–$12,000)
State: NY and CA add 30–40% premium due to higher attorney rates
Independent Counsel: Both spouses should have separate attorneys (+$1,500–$4,000 total)
Revisions: Each round of negotiation adds $500–$2,000
Timeline: Rush jobs (under 30 days) often carry 20–50% surcharges

Why Independent Counsel Matters

A prenup signed without independent counsel for both parties is far more likely to be challenged and overturned in court. Most states require or strongly favor both parties having their own attorney. The spouse with fewer assets typically needs their own attorney to ensure the agreement is fair and enforceable.

Example: Moderate Complexity Prenup (California)

Spouse A Attorney (primary drafter)$2,500–$4,500

Spouse B Independent Counsel$1,500–$3,000

Revisions (2 rounds)$800–$2,000

Filing & Notarization$100–$300

Total (CA Moderate)$4,900–$9,800

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a prenuptial agreement cost on average? ▼

The average prenuptial agreement in the US costs $2,500–$7,500 total for both parties combined, including independent counsel for the spouse with fewer assets. Simple prenups (basic asset list, no businesses) cost $1,500–$3,000. High net worth prenups involving trusts, business interests, and complex alimony provisions cost $10,000–$25,000+. Attorney fees in New York and California are 30–40% higher than the national average.

Is a DIY prenuptial agreement legally valid? ▼

A DIY prenup can be legally valid, but it carries significantly higher enforcement risk. Courts scrutinize prenups for procedural issues: both parties must have had adequate time to review, both should have had independent legal counsel, there must be full financial disclosure, and the terms must not be unconscionable. Online templates from services like LegalZoom ($300–$500) may miss state-specific requirements. At minimum, have a local family law attorney review any DIY prenup ($400–$800) before signing.

When is a prenup worth the cost? ▼

A prenup is generally considered worth the cost when: (1) one or both spouses have significant assets ($100,000+), a business, real estate, or inheritance expectations; (2) one spouse has substantially higher income or debt; (3) either spouse has children from a previous relationship; or (4) one spouse is giving up a career to support the family. At $3,000–$7,000 for the agreement, the cost is trivial compared to protecting assets worth $200,000+.

What is a postnuptial agreement and does it cost more? ▼

A postnuptial agreement is signed after marriage and serves similar purposes to a prenup. It generally costs 10–20% more than an equivalent prenup because it faces greater judicial scrutiny — courts are more suspicious of agreements signed after marriage when the power dynamics may have changed. Not all states recognize postnups; California, New York, Texas, and Florida generally do.

How early before the wedding should we start the prenup process? ▼

Start at least 3–6 months before the wedding date. Rushing a prenup within 30 days of the wedding is a major red flag for courts — it suggests one party felt pressured. Most family law attorneys want at least 60 days for a proper process: initial consultation, financial disclosure, drafting, negotiations, independent review, and final signing. Some states have waiting periods after delivery of the draft before it can be signed.