Agreements · Agreements No. 05
Prenuptial agreements
A calm, plain-language agreement drafted months before the wedding, with each of you advised by your own lawyer.
(What this involves)
How we approach it
A prenup is a planning document, not a prediction. It lets two people decide ahead of time how property, income and debts will be treated, often to protect a family business, an inheritance, or children from an earlier relationship.
We advise one partner, never both. Your partner should have their own lawyer, and we are glad to suggest several independent firms. Agreements made with full financial disclosure, independent advice and real time before the wedding are much harder to challenge later.
This may apply if
- You own a business or expect an inheritance
- One of you earns far more, or has far more saved
- You have children from an earlier relationship
- A family trust or a company agreement asks for one
- You were handed a draft and want it reviewed
Questions we answer early
- 01 What can and cannot go into a Texas prenup?
- 02 How much financial disclosure is enough?
- 03 How far ahead of the wedding should we sign?
- 04 Can we agree on spousal support in advance?
- 05 What happens to income earned during the marriage?
Illustration · a calm prenup timeline
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6 months out
First meeting
Goals, worries, what to protect.
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4 months out
Disclosure
Assets, debts and income in schedules.
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3 months out
Draft
Your partner's lawyer reviews it.
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6 weeks out
Revisions
Plain-language changes, both sides.
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30+ days out
Signed
Well clear of the wedding week.
How the work runs § 2
Four steps, in order.
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01
Listen
What you want to protect and why, and what will feel fair to both of you.
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02
Disclose
Each of you lists assets, debts and income in schedules attached to the agreement.
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03
Draft and negotiate
We draft or review, your partner's lawyer responds, and we revise in plain language.
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04
Sign early
Signed well before the wedding, ideally 30 days or more, so no one can say they were rushed.
The law, in general terms
Texas, in general terms
Texas premarital agreements must be in writing and signed by both partners. A court can refuse to enforce one that was not signed voluntarily, or one that was unconscionable when signed and came without fair disclosure of the other partner's property and debts. A prenup cannot reduce a child's right to support.
Rules differ by state
Most states follow similar principles, but details differ, including how much time before the wedding courts expect and whether spousal support can be waived. If either of you may move, tell us early.
General information, not legal advice. Your facts, and the law that applies to them, are what the consultation is for.
Example costs § 3
What it can cost, in examples.
Ranges from recent matters, not quotes. Outside experts bill separately. After the consultation you receive a written estimate for your case.
All fees and retainersOften asked
Can one lawyer represent both of us?
No. One lawyer cannot advise two people whose interests in the agreement differ. We represent one of you, and the other partner should have independent counsel.
Isn't it unromantic?
It can feel that way at first. Most couples tell us the conversation was easier than they feared, and that being clear about money early removed a worry rather than adding one.
Talk to us about prenuptial agreements
Names first for the conflict check, then a 90-minute strategy consultation with the attorney who leads this work. No details through the form, please.
Or call the office
(214) 555-0163We never leave a detailed voicemail unless you tell us it is safe.