Prenuptial Agreements Are No Longer Just for the Wealthy—Here's Why Young Couples Are Rethinking Marriage Contracts

The landscape of marriage preparation is shifting. According to a 2025 Headway survey, over half of unmarried people (51%) would seriously consider signing financial growth clauses before saying “I do”—contractual agreements designed to ensure both partners remain committed to personal and financial development throughout the marriage.

This might sound calculated and anything but romantic. But consider this: the same survey revealed that 44% of couples have already experienced physical intimacy problems directly tied to financial stress. In today’s economy, love alone isn’t enough to weather the storm.

Why Marriage at 30 Changes Everything

The average age of marriage has dramatically shifted in recent decades. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, men now marry for the first time at an average age exceeding 30, while women average 28.6 years old. Rewind to the 1950s, and couples were tying the knot in their early twenties.

This later marriage timeline carries significant implications. By the time people reach their thirties, they’ve typically accumulated college degrees, established careers, built investment portfolios, and accumulated real assets worth protecting. “More couples bringing advanced education and higher incomes to the table means more accumulated wealth they want to safeguard,” explains Damian Turco, family attorney at Turco Legal. “Add in the economic volatility of recent years—market crashes, inflation, job instability—and you’ve got couples entering marriage with genuine financial anxiety and real concerns about divorce risk.”

The Money Conversation Nobody Wants to Have

Here’s the uncomfortable truth: most couples avoid discussing finances before marriage. Research from Ally Bank shows that less than half of unmarried Millennials and Gen Z (44%) feel comfortable discussing career growth plans with their partner. Over half (54%) struggle to talk about purchasing a home. Most alarming: 62% won’t even discuss their personal debt situation.

These numbers reveal a critical gap. Financial growth clauses force couples to have the conversations they’ve been avoiding. As divorce attorney Jenny Bradley from Triangle Smart Divorce notes: “When couples engage in transparent discussions about money matters, they build stronger communication patterns and deeper trust.”

The Security Blanket Effect

So what exactly do these clauses accomplish? According to Davina Adjani of HelloPrenup, financial growth clauses typically outline which assets remain separate, protect each party’s income and investments, and clarify what happens financially if the marriage dissolves. “In some cases, couples can also carve out provisions for building joint financial assets as a team,” she explains.

This sense of security appeals to many. Yet divorce attorney Patrick Baghdaserians offers a cautionary note: prenuptial agreements often aren’t as foolproof as people assume. “Most get challenged in court anyway, leading to bifurcated trials—one phase fights over whether the agreement is even valid, and the second phase handles the actual divorce settlement,” he warns. “This can significantly inflate legal costs.”

Before You Sign on the Dotted Line

The real question isn’t whether you need a legal contract—it’s whether you’re ready to have genuine conversations about money. If you and your partner can’t openly discuss debt, financial priorities, asset division, and long-term plans, a prenup might not solve the underlying problem. Start with vulnerable, honest conversations first. The legal paperwork is secondary.