How Long Does It Take to Draft a Prenup?

A prenup, or prenuptial agreement, is a legal document that explains how money, debts, and other assets would be handled if a marriage ends.

Couples often want to know how long the process will really take. The quick answer is that it depends, but knowing what goes into it might help you have fair expectations..

The Average Time It Takes to Write a Prenup

It normally takes two to six weeks to write a prenuptial agreement from start to finish in simple instances. This covers the first meetings, getting financial information, writing the agreement, going over changes, and signing it. More complicated circumstances can take longer, especially if discussions are involved or if one or both parties own a lot of property.

Things That Change How Long It Takes

The chronology is affected by a number of things. One of the main problems is that everyone’s financial condition is different. Couples who own more than one property, have business interests, assets, or a lot of debt sometimes require additional time to completely disclose and deal with these problems.

How ready both sides are is also very important. The procedure goes considerably more smoothly when financial documents like bank statements, tax returns, and property records are organized and easy to find. Delays happen a lot when information is missing or takes a long time to get to you.

The level of agreement between the two sides is also important. If both people mostly agree on the conditions, writing it down can be rather rapid. Negotiations can add weeks to the timeframe if there are arguments about how to divide assets, spousal support, or future earnings.

What Legal Review and Independent Counsel Do

Each person should have their own lawyer for the prenup to be valid. This protects both people and makes sure that the arrangement is fair and legal. If you ask for changes, it can take longer to coordinate between two lawyers. But you shouldn’t speed through this phase; it’s quite important.

You Don’t Think Timing Is Important

It is very important to finish a prenuptial agreement long before the wedding day. People may be able to contest agreements signed too close to the ceremony because they were under pressure or didn’t have enough time to read them carefully. Starting the process at least three to six months before the wedding gives you more time and less stress.

Is it possible to speed up the process?

A prenup can be written up more rapidly in some cases, perhaps in as little as two weeks. This usually means that all parties and their lawyers need to be fully cooperative, have basic budgets, and be available right away. Even then, haste makes it more likely that you’ll make mistakes or face legal problems later.

Planning Ahead Leads to Better Results

Making a prenuptial agreement is not only a legal task; it is also a way to talk about money. Giving yourself enough time makes sure that everything is clear, that you make smart choices, and that your marriage has a stable basis. An expert family law attorney can help keep the process moving quickly while looking out for both parties’ best interests.

You cannot use a prenup to get somebody to marry you. Prenups cannot provide somebody with money, assets or other items as “payment” for getting married.