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PrenupByState — Prenuptial Agreement Guide by State PrenupByState PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT GUIDE BY STATE

Prenuptial Agreement Cost & Lawyer Finder — By State

How much does a prenup cost in your state? Find out in 30 seconds. Then connect with a local attorney who specializes in prenuptial agreements.

How much does a prenup cost in your state?

Pick a state. We'll show typical attorney fees in three tiers — based on state bar fee surveys and national family law market data. These are estimates, not quotes.

Typical prenup cost in California

Simple

$3,000 – $5,000

W-2 income, no business

Moderate

$5,000 – $10,000

Real estate, some assets

Complex

$10,000 – $20,000

Business, multi-state

Average attorney rate in California: $300–$600/hr. Both partners hiring separate attorneys typically adds 50–75% to the total.

Find a prenup attorney in California Full cost guide for California

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Tools nobody else has built for prenups

Personalized, state-aware, and source-cited. The only place on the web where you can pressure-test your specific situation.

7 questions · 60 seconds

Will my prenup hold up?

Answer 7 questions and we'll flag the specific enforceability risks under your state's law, citing the statute or case.

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Side-by-side · 50 states

Compare state prenup laws

Pick 2-3 states and see statutes, costs, waiting periods, and community-property rules side by side.

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5 questions · For married couples

Should I get a postnup?

Already married? Find out whether a postnuptial agreement makes sense for your situation — with state-specific flags.

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23 court cases · plain English

Landmark prenup cases

Every notable US prenup decision explained: facts, holdings, and lessons. Organized by state.

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40 terms · A to Z

Legal glossary

UPAA, community property, unconscionability, severability — every prenup term you'll see, in plain English.

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6 public cases · what they teach

Famous prenup stories

Bezos, Bryant, Kardashian, Bonds, DeLorean. Each story illustrates a legal principle that applies to your situation.

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Browse all 50 states + DC

Each state page covers the statute, the cost range, the timeline, and where to find a local prenup attorney.

Learn the basics

Plain-English guides on the decisions that come up before, during, and after the prenup conversation.

Do I need a prenup?

Honest 5-question self-assessment.

How to get a prenup

6-step process from conversation to signature.

What to include

The 7 categories of a real prenup.

What makes a prenup invalid

5 reasons courts reject them.

After marriage (postnups)

It's not too late if you didn't sign one.

Online prenups

LegalZoom, HelloPrenup, and when they're enough.

All guides →

Reference library

Quick links to the most-used reference pages.

23 court cases
Landmark decisions
40 terms
Legal glossary
6 stories
Public-figure cases
All tools
Quiz, calc, compare

What this site covers

How much does a prenup cost in your state? Find local prenup attorneys, understand your state's laws, and learn what a prenuptial agreement should include.

  • State-by-state prenup costs from state bar fee surveys and family law market data.
  • Each state's statute cited by name, linked to the official state legislature.
  • Plain-English explanations of what makes a prenup enforceable where you live.
  • Direct paths to find a licensed family law attorney in your state.

What this site isn't

This isn't legal advice. We don't represent anyone. We're a research and editorial team that explains how prenuptial agreement law actually works, state by state. If you're getting married, talk to a family law attorney licensed in your state before signing anything.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a prenuptial agreement cost?
A prenup typically costs $1,500 to $7,500 for most couples, with attorney fees varying by state and complexity. Complex estates with businesses or multi-state property can run $10,000 to $20,000 or more. The single biggest cost driver is whether both spouses hire their own attorneys — which is strongly recommended in every state, and required by some.
Do I need a lawyer to get a prenup?
Practically, yes. Online services like LegalZoom or HelloPrenup offer attorney-reviewed prenups at the ~$600 price point and work for the simplest cases (W-2 income, no business, no kids from prior relationships). Anything more complex — a business interest, real estate in multiple states, expected inheritance — calls for a family law attorney licensed in your state. Joint representation by a single attorney is one of the most common grounds for invalidation later.
How long before the wedding should we sign?
Start the conversation at least 90 days before the wedding and sign at least 30 days before. California requires by statute that at least 7 calendar days pass between the final draft being presented and the signature — agreements signed inside that window are unenforceable. Other states don't have a statutory minimum but courts treat short timelines as evidence of duress.
What can't a prenup include?
A prenup can't decide child custody or child support — courts decide both at the time of divorce based on the best interests of the child, and no contract can change that. It also can't include illegal terms, incentives for divorce, or provisions that violate public policy. Anything personal (chores, weight, sexual frequency) is unenforceable even if it appears in the document.
Can you get a prenup after marriage?
Yes — it's called a postnuptial agreement. Most US states recognize postnups, though courts apply stricter scrutiny than they do for prenups, because spouses owe each other a fiduciary duty once married. The cost is similar to a prenup, sometimes slightly higher. Read more on our postnuptial agreements page.