The dynamic of marriage finances is evolving, leading more young Americans to secure prenuptial agreements. A Harris Poll survey conducted for Bloomberg News revealed that 53% of engaged or married Americans under 45 signed a prenup as of May. This is a significant increase from 41% of Gen Z and 34% of millennials who had prenups in a similar poll in 2022. This shift reflects couples marrying later, allowing them more time to accumulate wealth and financial knowledge, with the average age for a first marriage in 2025 being 28.4 for women and 30.8 for men.
While historically prenups were sought primarily by wealthy men, family-law attorneys indicate a surge in demand from a broader demographic. Women are now initiating prenups as frequently as men, often to protect their growing earnings, inheritances, and to address issues like student debt or frozen embryos. For instance, women initiated approximately 52% of prenups on the app Hello Prenup, which has served over 100,000 couples. The Harris Poll also found that women are requesting almost half of all U.S. prenups. Andrea Vacca, a Manhattan family law attorney, noted that pre-nup requests at her firm have more than doubled in the last three years, largely driven by women.
The accessibility and affordability of prenups have democratized their use. Services like Hello Prenup and First offer automated agreements for about $600, while Neptune provides legal representation for a flat fee of $5,000. This is considerably less than the tens of thousands of dollars typically charged by attorneys for complex cases. The average client of First is 36 years old and earns over $100,000 annually, with about a third having student debt. This increased accessibility and changing societal views have transformed prenups from a taboo subject into a practical and empowering financial planning tool for a diverse range of couples.
