Prenups Aren’t Just for the Rich: 1 in 4 Prenup Drafters Make Less Than Their Partners
Your financial future is bigger than your salary. Prenups help couples plan for the full picture.In New York, 25% of drafting parties make less than their partners. Given a prenup safeguards assets in the event of a divorce, one may expect that the drafting party - in other words, the party asking their partner for a prenup - would overwhelmingly be the one making more each year. The reality is that assets are about more than someone’s annual income, and couples are increasingly recognizing that fact.Neptune Insight: In 2025, one in four prenups drafted in New York were initiated by the lower-earning partner.Here’s why financial planning through prenups is more nuanced than income alone, and why more couples are turning to Neptune to make sure their agreement reflects their real financial lives.Assets Aren’t Just About Your PaycheckIncome is only one measure of wealth. A partner may earn less today but hold significant wealth through investments, savings, inheritance, or long-term plans. The drafting party’s median income may be lower than the reviewing party’s, but their asset profile tells another story.Think of someone with a strong portfolio of stocks, equity in a family business, or rental properties. Even if their salary is smaller, their net worth may outpace their partner’s. Prenups are designed to protect the whole picture, not just what hits your bank account every two weeks.
Key takeaways
- You can use a prenup to plan for future assets that don't exist yet, including inheritance, retirement accounts, and business ventures you may start down the road
- One in four people creating prenups actually earn less than their partners, proving these agreements aren't just for high earners
- Prenups help couples align on key financial questions: how to treat assets brought into marriage, what happens with future wealth, and how to keep things fair for both partners
- Without a prenup, debts incurred by one spouse can become joint marital obligations depending on your state's laws
- Creating a prenup gives you and your partner a structured way to have open conversations about money, goals, and fairness that might otherwise be difficult to navigate
Prenups Protect Wealth You Have Yet to Accrue
Prenups also plan for assets that don’t exist yet—or haven’t fully matured. Consider:
- Inheritance: A lower-earning spouse may stand to inherit property, investments, or other assets in the future.
- Retirement Accounts: 401(k)s, IRAs, and pensions are often worth far more over time than annual salaries suggest.
- Future Business Owners: One or both spouses may start a company down the road, and a prenup can clarify liabilities and ownership accordingly.
Without a prenup, these future assets can become sources of conflict or unintended division. A prenup provides clarity today about how they’ll be treated tomorrow.
Why Couples Align on Financial Plans with Prenups
For many couples, drafting a prenup is less about income gaps and more about alignment. It’s about answering questions like:
- How do we treat assets one partner brings into the marriage?
- What happens with wealth earned or inherited in the future?
- How do we protect each other while keeping things fair?
That’s why prenups are as much about partnership planning as they are about legal protection. They give couples a framework to talk openly about money, goals, and fairness - conversations that are often harder without the structure of a prenup.
Key Takeaway: Start Your Stress-Free Prenup Journey with Neptune
Whether you earn more, less, or the same as your partner, what really matters is clarity. Prenups create a shared plan for today and tomorrow, giving both partners peace of mind.
Neptune makes it simple, affordable, and supportive. With flat-fee pricing, free lawyer consultations, and guidance tailored to your financial life, we help couples focus on building their future together—not stressing about what-ifs.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a prenup if you make less money than your partner?
Yes, 1 in 4 prenup drafters actually make less than their partners. Prenups aren't just about current income - they also plan for future assets like inheritances, retirement accounts, and potential business ownership that you may acquire during marriage.
What future assets can a prenup cover?
Prenups can address inheritances you may receive, retirement accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs that grow over time, and businesses you might start in the future. These future assets often become more valuable than current salaries and can be sources of conflict without clear agreements.
Can debts from one spouse become joint obligations in marriage?
Yes, according to Neptune Legal's Managing Partner Michael Cotugno, debts incurred by one spouse can become joint marital obligations depending on specific state laws. A prenup can clarify how debts will be handled to avoid unintended financial responsibility.
Why do couples with similar incomes get prenups?
For many couples, prenups are about financial alignment rather than income gaps. They provide a framework to discuss how to treat assets brought into marriage, handle future wealth or inheritances, and ensure fairness while maintaining partnership planning.