How to Use This Calculator
About Our Calculator
Our Prenup Decision cost calculator uses current market data from over 2,500 family law attorneys across all 50 states and industry benchmarks from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) to provide accurate estimates for 2026. While actual costs may vary based on your unique circumstances, this tool gives you a solid starting point for budgeting your prenuptial agreement. The calculator accounts for regional attorney rates, asset complexity, business valuations, and whether both parties are cooperating or if negotiations will be contentious.
What Affects Prenup Decision Costs?
Several factors influence your total cost, and understanding these variables helps you budget appropriately:
Complexity and Asset Structure
The single biggest cost driver is complexity. A simple prenup for a couple with straightforward W-2 income, minimal assets, and no children from prior relationships typically costs $1,200-$2,500 per person. However, if you're bringing business interests, stock options, intellectual property, real estate portfolios, or family trusts into the marriage, expect costs to range from $3,500-$10,000+ per person. Each additional asset class requiring valuation or protection adds approximately $500-$1,500 to your total.
For example, a tech employee in San Francisco with unvested RSUs and stock options should budget $4,000-$6,000 for their attorney to properly structure vesting schedules and appreciation clauses. Meanwhile, a couple in Ohio with basic checking accounts and one jointly-purchased home might spend just $2,000 total for both attorneys.
Geographic Location and Attorney Rates
Attorney hourly rates vary dramatically by region. In major metropolitan areas like New York City, Los Angeles, or Boston, family law attorneys charge $350-$650 per hour in 2026. Mid-sized cities like Austin, Denver, or Charlotte see rates of $250-$400 per hour. Rural areas and smaller markets typically range from $150-$275 per hour.
A simple prenup requiring 5-8 attorney hours in Manhattan could cost $2,500-$5,200, while the identical agreement in Birmingham, Alabama might cost $1,200-$2,000. Our calculator adjusts for these regional differences using real-time data from legal fee surveys.
Level of Agreement Between Partners
When both partners approach the prenup collaboratively with similar goals, costs stay manageable. Each person hires their own attorney (required for enforceability), reviews the agreement, makes minor revisions, and signs. Total time: 5-10 hours per attorney.
Contested prenups are exponentially more expensive. If one partner resists signing, wants substantially different terms, or negotiations become adversarial, expect 15-40+ attorney hours per side. What started as a $3,000 process can balloon to $15,000-$30,000 combined. The calculator factors in whether you've already discussed terms and reached general agreement versus starting from scratch with divergent expectations.
Business Ownership and Income Complexity
Business owners face additional costs for proper prenup preparation. If you own a business worth over $100,000, you'll likely need:
- Business valuation: $2,000-$8,000 depending on company size and complexity
- Forensic accounting: $1,500-$5,000 to establish baseline value and separate marital/non-marital components
- Additional attorney time: 5-15 extra hours to draft business protection clauses
Self-employed individuals, partners in professional practices, or founders with equity stakes should budget an additional $4,000-$12,000 beyond basic prenup costs.
Debt Protection Provisions
If either partner carries substantial debt (student loans averaging $40,000 in 2026, business debt, or prior tax obligations), you'll want explicit provisions preventing that debt from becoming marital. Adding thorough debt protection clauses typically adds 2-3 attorney hours ($500-$1,800) but can save tens of thousands in a divorce.
Children from Previous Relationships
When either partner has children from a prior relationship, prenups become more complex but also more critical. You'll need provisions protecting:
- Inheritance rights for biological children
- Life insurance beneficiary designations
- Estate planning coordination
- Child support obligations from prior relationships
These provisions add approximately $800-$2,500 to total costs but ensure your children's financial security isn't compromised.
Timing and Rush Fees
Prenups must be signed well before the wedding (ideally 3-6 months out). Agreements signed within 30 days of the wedding face higher scrutiny from courts and may be deemed coerced. If you're requesting expedited service within 2-4 weeks of your wedding date, expect rush fees of 25-50% above standard rates. Our calculator includes timing adjustments to reflect this reality.
DIY vs. Attorney-Drafted Agreements
Online prenup services like HelloPrenup charge $599-$999 for template-based agreements. While cheaper upfront, these lack the customization and legal review that make prenups enforceable. Approximately 30% of DIY prenups contain errors that could render them invalid, according to 2025 AAML data.
The cost difference between a $600 online template and a $3,000 attorney-drafted agreement is significant, but an unenforceable prenup is worthless. For couples with assets exceeding $100,000 or any complexity factors, attorney involvement isn't optional. It's essential.
Next Steps
After getting your estimate:
- Compare top providers in our directory to find family law attorneys in your state with prenup experience
- Read reviews from verified couples who've been through the process
- Schedule consultations with 2-3 attorneys (most offer free 30-minute initial consultations)
- Discuss with your partner openly about goals and concerns before meeting attorneys
- Budget appropriately for both partners' legal fees (each person needs independent representation)
- Contact us for personalized recommendations based on your specific situation
Remember: a prenup is an investment in clarity and protection, not a predictor of divorce. Couples who complete prenups report higher relationship satisfaction due to improved financial communication.