Prenup Lawyer Cost: What You Need To Know
A prenuptial agreement can cost anywhere between $3,000 and upwards of $20,000, depending on location, complexity, and the attorneys you hire. A prenup through Neptune can cost between $4,000-$10,000 flat rate- this is the cost to hire both lawyers. For couples planning a future together, a prenup is a wise decision, as it provides you with a tool to be more proactive about your future financial well-being. However, you can avoid hidden costs by choosing high-quality lawyers who charge flat rates, like the prenup lawyers at Neptune. At Neptune, we believe the most important part of the prenuptial agreement is the conversation that happens before any lawyers are involved. We then connect experienced attorneys who understand your unique needs. Below, we discuss how lawyers charge for prenuptial agreements and the factors affecting their costs.
Key takeaways
- You and your partner must each hire separate attorneys when creating a prenuptial agreement - using just one lawyer is a major reason courts strike down prenups
- Prenup attorneys charge between $250 and $1,000 per hour, with costs varying significantly by location - attorneys in major cities like New York and Los Angeles charge substantially more than those in smaller markets
- You can save money by choosing flat-fee attorneys over hourly billing, since prenups often require multiple drafts and negotiation rounds that make hourly costs escalate quickly and unpredictably
- Complex provisions like infidelity clauses, business ownership agreements, and spousal support limitations increase both drafting time and overall costs
- Preparing your financial information in advance - including detailed asset lists, property appraisals, and tax returns - reduces billable hours and keeps costs down
How a Prenup Works
A prenup encourages you to openly and honestly discuss your finances with your significant other. It allows you to address financial concerns before they become serious later on and helps you with future financial planning as a couple. When getting a prenup, you sit with your partner and discuss your shared financial goals and values, helping you make informed decisions about your future together.
Once you're clear on your needs or preferences, the next step is to hire an experienced lawyer who can draft and finalize the prenuptial agreement. Each party should have their own lawyer to ensure both receive personalized legal advice. One of the biggest reasons the court strikes down prenups is when a couple fails to use two lawyers.
What a Prenup Legally Does
A prenuptial agreement overrides default state marriage laws that would otherwise govern your marriage. This includes laws related to community property, division of marital assets, and spousal support or alimony. Without a prenup, these decisions are made according to state statutes and not your personal preferences. A prenup allows couples to proactively decide how finances are handled instead of relying on one-size-fits-all legal defaults.
Average Cost of Getting a Prenup
Getting a prenuptial agreement involves consulting attorneys and hiring other professionals, such as an appraiser, to estimate the value of your assets. The average cost depends on several factors, including location and attorneys' fees. Drafting and enforcing a prenuptial agreement can also be a long process, which will cost more. You may even find that some attorneys just make up the numbers as they go.
Overall, the attorney costs are going to be the biggest expenses during the prenup process.
Hourly Prenup Attorney Costs
Prenup attorneys who charge hourly rates typically bill between $250 and $1,000 per hour, depending on their experience, reputation, and geographic location. Because prenups often require multiple drafts and negotiation rounds, hourly billing can cause total costs to increase quickly and unpredictably.City-by-City Pricing Differences
Prenup costs can vary significantly by city. For example, attorneys practicing in major metropolitan areas like New York City or Los Angeles often charge substantially more than attorneys in smaller cities or regional markets. Local legal demand, cost of living, and attorney experience all influence pricing at the city level.
What Happens During Consultation With Your Attorney?
During the initial consultation, you and the attorney will discuss your assets, debts, and overall financial situation in detail. We recommend that you provide a detailed overview of your investments, trusts, retirement accounts, inheritances and other assets. If you have specific concerns, don't hesitate to discuss them.
Prenup attorneys who charge hourly rates typically bill between $250 and $1,000 per hour, depending on their experience, reputation, and geographic location. Because prenups often require multiple drafts and negotiation rounds, hourly billing can cause total costs to increase quickly and unpredictably.
What Happens During Consultation With Your Attorney?
During the initial consultation, you and the attorney will discuss your assets, debts, and overall financial situation in detail. We recommend that you provide a detailed overview of your investments, trusts, retirement accounts, inheritances and other assets. If you have specific concerns, don't hesitate to discuss them.
How Does an Attorney Charge for a Prenuptial Agreement?
Some of the costs involved in your prenup can include the following:
Professional Fees
As a blanket rule, you and your future spouse must each have an attorney to prevent conflicts of interest. Fees may include consultations to discuss your needs, drafting the prenuptial agreement, and negotiating with the other party. Professional fees may also include admin costs, such as fees for notarization and filing.
To avoid paying extra, hire an attorney who charges a flat fee and offers a free consultation. Neptune offers vetted and qualified flat-fee prenup lawyers. You can also reduce the costs by using an online prenup drafting service; this way, the attorney only reviews the contract to ensure it's mistake-free and that both parties are happy.
Other costs may include professional fees for accountants, tax specialists, and property appraisers. These are optional fees that are only needed if you have a complex asset situation. These professionals can estimate the market value of your assets and discuss their tax implications.
Flat-Fee vs Hourly Prenup Lawyers
Hourly prenup lawyers bill for every consultation, revision, and negotiation round, which can cause costs to escalate quickly. Flat-fee prenup lawyers, on the other hand, cap the total cost upfront, offering pricing predictability and reducing financial stress during the process. Neptune specializes in connecting couples with vetted flat-fee prenup attorneys to eliminate surprise legal bills.
Legal Formalities and Enforceability Costs
Administrative steps such as notarization and filing are essential legal formalities. These steps confirm that both parties entered the agreement voluntarily and help ensure the prenup is enforceable in court. While these costs are typically modest, they are critical to the agreement’s legal validity.
Negotiation
Working with an experienced attorney to draft and finalize the prenuptial agreement is crucial to determining whether both parties can meet halfway. In some cases, negotiation time can take longer, especially when both parties own many assets. For attorneys who charge per hour, this can increase the total cost involved. Couples can discuss their needs before speaking to the attorneys to reduce the billable hours or total cost.
Neptune is a prenup concierge service that can help you save money by talking you through some of the more important parts of your prenup. This helps reduce the time you have to pay for the attorneys. Neptune also connects you with vetted family attorneys who have preferential rates and offer transparent pricing and free consultations, saving you even more.
Complexity of the Prenup
Do you own several stocks and multiple properties? Drafting the prenup for couples with various assets can be complex and may take longer. Discussing business ownership and other valuable assets may cost more and take more time. Some couples may also ask for special clauses such as spousal support, so expect the attorney to spend more time working your prenup. As a result, the cost may increase. This is where transparent pricing and flat fees can really come in and reduce the overall costs involved. Examples of Cost-Increasing Prenup ClausesCertain provisions can increase both drafting time and overall cost, including:
- Infidelity clauses
- Spousal support or alimony limitations
- Business ownership protections
- Mixed separate and joint property arrangements
- Estate planning or inheritance protections
These clauses often require additional negotiation and legal precision, which is why transparent pricing and flat-fee structures can significantly reduce financial uncertainty.
Location
Where you live can affect the cost of getting a prenuptial agreement. Attorneys in big cities and prime areas like New York and California charge more for their services. Their expertise also affects the price. Expect to pay more when the attorney has years of experience. This is one of the biggest price fluctuations you will find.
If the attorney has a well-proven track record and years of experience and was featured in a magazine, for example, you can expect to pay more than you would for an attorney fresh out of school or just building their client list.
How to Save Money Getting a Prenup
Getting a prenup can be expensive, but you can apply some of our cost-saving strategies to reduce the final cost. Here's how you can reduce the cost of getting a prenuptial agreement:
- Look for a platform that can match you with the right attorneys offering their services for a flat fee. Hourly rates and retainers can be costly, especially when the agreement requires more negotiation or discussion time.
- Outline all your assets and liabilities to reduce the time an attorney spends drafting or editing the prenuptial agreement.
- Organize your finances ahead of time and be as transparent as possible, including property appraisals, tax returns, and financial statements, to reduce billable hours (if the attorney charges hourly rates).
- Healthy couples discuss prenups because they want to alleviate future stress and build a stronger financial future. With a legally binding agreement, both partners have complete control over how their assets will be distributed, offering peace of mind.
Protect Your Assets
Do you need help with your prenuptial agreement? Connect with Neptune to discuss the process. The process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let Neptune simplify it.
We make things easier and can save you time and money by connecting you with vetted attorneys and talking you through some of the more important parts of your prenup. Being prepared is one of the best things you can do with your partner as you step into the world of prenuptial agreements. The more educated you are about the process, the more money you can save. Content Review & Legal AccuracyThis content is reviewed to reflect common family law practices and prenup cost structures. Neptune works exclusively with experienced family law attorneys to ensure couples receive accurate guidance and legally sound agreements.
If you are ready to get started and want to learn more about your options, contact Neptune today. If you want to move forward, we can begin the process of matching you with the right attorneys.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a prenup lawyer cost per hour?
Prenup attorneys typically charge between $250 and $1,000 per hour, depending on their experience, reputation, and geographic location. Hourly billing can cause total costs to increase quickly and unpredictably because prenups often require multiple drafts and negotiation rounds.
Do both parties need separate lawyers for a prenup?
Yes, each party must have their own attorney to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure both receive personalized legal advice. One of the biggest reasons courts strike down prenups is when a couple fails to use two separate lawyers.
Is it cheaper to use a flat-fee or hourly prenup lawyer?
Flat-fee prenup lawyers are typically more cost-effective because they cap the total cost upfront, offering pricing predictability. Hourly prenup lawyers bill for every consultation, revision, and negotiation round, which can cause costs to escalate quickly.
What factors increase the cost of a prenup?
Complex prenups with multiple assets, business ownership, and special clauses like infidelity provisions or spousal support limitations cost more. Location also significantly affects pricing, with attorneys in major cities like New York and Los Angeles charging substantially more than those in smaller markets.
How can I save money on prenup attorney fees?
You can reduce costs by choosing a flat-fee attorney instead of hourly billing, organizing all your financial documents ahead of time, and using a platform like Neptune that connects you with vetted attorneys offering transparent pricing. Being prepared and discussing your needs beforehand reduces billable hours.