Prenuptial agreements were once relatively rare. Only the very wealthy and people in unusual family circumstances negotiated marital contracts. Many people negatively judged those who requested prenuptial agreements.
That has changed in recent years. The negative attitudes about prenuptial agreements have faded. People are more receptive than ever to the idea that they need a contract to protect them during marriage. How common are prenuptial agreements?
People are less judgmental about marital contracts
The prevalence of divorce and the need to have two working professionals in most families have contributed to more couples signing prenuptial agreements and more people having an open mind about them. Many people now see the value in negotiating marital contracts.
As of 2023, roughly half of all polled adults in the United States said they agree with the use of prenuptial agreements. The proportion of couples who sign such agreements increased to around 20%. That percentage is higher for younger generations, with 41% of Gen Z respondents stating they signed a prenuptial agreement and 47% of Millennials saying the same.
Those preparing for marriage can potentially propose a prenuptial agreement without putting their fiancés on the defense or making them feel as though the party proposing the agreement is not fully committed to the marriage. Both fiancés can protect themselves and their economic stability with the right prenuptial terms.
Even those who want their marriages to last for a lifetime can reap benefits from negotiating prenuptial agreements. Discussing what partners expect from marriage and what they expect in the event of a divorce can help them establish a marital contract that protects both spouses.
