When you’re worth hundreds of millions, a prenup sounds like a no-brainer, right? Well, not for Biebs! With an estimated net worth of $300 million for Justin and $20 million for Hailey, it’s wild to learn they allegedly tied the knot without a prenup. According to sources like TMZ and People, the couple didn’t sign before their courthouse wedding in 2018. Let’s break down why this matters!
Relationship rundown
Justin and Hailey Bieber’s relationship has a rollercoaster marked by on-again, off-again phases, friendship, and eventual commitment. They first met in 2009 when Hailey was introduced to Justin at a fan event by her father, Stephen Baldwin. Living out every teenage Bieleber’s dream, the two developed a friendship that led to a short-lived relationship.
Years later, after some dating detours, they reconnected in early 2018. Things heated up fast, and by September of the same year, they were secretly married at a New York City courthouse! They later threw a bigger, star-studded wedding for family and friends in South Carolina in 2019. And in August 2024, they became parents, welcoming their first child together.
So…why no prenup?
The Biebers haven’t officially spilled the tea, but rumor has it Justin was so head-over-heels in love that he didn’t feel he needed one. Apparently, they reached out to their lawyers on their wedding day, but there wasn’t enough time to put together a proper prenup for all their assets! The couple is known for being all-in on each other, crediting faith as the foundation of their relationship. Still, a prenup could’ve added a layer of security around their assets—just in case.
What are the big assets here?
For some context, let’s review just what assets are at stake here.
Justin‘s Empire: Worth an estimated $300 million, the global pop icon’s fortune comes from his music ventures, brand deals, investments, and more.
- Music Income: Album sales, touring revenue, and merchandise sales all contribute to a massive income. Plus, he sold his entire music catalog for $200 million in 2023.
- Real Estate: Bieber purchased his Ontario mansion shortly after the duo’s engagement.
- Brand Collabs: He has some big endorsement deals, including Calvin Klein, Beats by Dre, and Adidas.
- Drew House: Bieber’s Drew House, a streetwear clothing brand, has become a fan favorite.
- Luxury Cars: His luxury car collection is legendary.
- Trademarks: He owns all trademarking rights to his last name.
Hailey’s Growing Fortune: Hailey, meanwhile, has built a solid net worth of $20 million through modeling, business ventures, and brand equity.
- Modeling: She has been the face of major brands and has appeared in the biggest fashion mags.
- Rhode Skin: Her skincare brand has skyrocketed since launching in 2022.
- Brand Deals: Hailey has worked with international brands like The Daily Edited and ModelCo.
- On-Screen Appearances: From hosting gigs to music videos, Hailey’s in-demand.
- Family Inheritance: Let’s not forget, she is a nepo baby—maybe a Baldwin inheritance is in play!
What could a prenup have done?
A prenup is essentially a legal blueprint for handling financial matters within a marriage and, if it ever comes to it, during a divorce. For high-profile couples like Justin and Hailey, it’s a way to safeguard individual wealth, avoid messy court battles, and maintain control over personal and shared assets. Let’s look at the specific benefits a prenup could have provided for the Biebers:
- Asset Protection: Justin and Hailey both came into the marriage with established wealth, but their financial situations are very different—a prenup could have clearly outlined which assets would remain separate and which would become marital property.
- Protection for Future Earnings: Both Justin and Hailey are still actively building their careers, with new revenue streams and business ventures popping up. A prenup could have addressed future earnings and specified what would happen with assets acquired during the marriage.
- Peace of mind: Justin and Hailey are both still very young, growing their empires and navigating life in the spotlight together—creating a prenup could have provided peace of mind knowing their values and goals are aligned.
A prenup would have given Justin and Hailey a chance to set expectations, avoid potential misunderstandings, and create a shared vision for how they want to handle their finances. Without one, they’re bound by California community property laws (where they reside and would potentially get a divorce), which may not align with their personal preferences or unique circumstances. (In community property states, assets acquired during the marriage are typically automatically split 50-50 with few exceptions).
But what about a postnup?
It’s not too late now (get it?!) for the Biebers—they can still legally protect their interests with a postnup (short for postnuptial agreement)! A postnup can be signed anytime during a marriage, and it’s possible the couple may already have drafted one up (they’re just keeping it on the DL).
There are so many different things couples may include in their marital agreements—let’s let’s look at what the Biebers might consider putting in a postnup:
- Marital Assets: Their growing real estate portfolio, business ventures, and joint brand value are huge assets. Their postnup can outline how these investments acquired during the marriage will be handled if they separate. For instance, who would get their Beverly Hills mansion? Who keeps their Canadian estate? A postnup allows them to make these decisions on their own terms rather than leaving it up to a judge.
- Business Ventures: Hailey and Justin have both founded their own companies, which are highly successful. In their postnup, they can address these and any future business interests. For instance, if Justin’s Drew House continues to grow or Hailey’s Rhode Skin expands into a full beauty empire, they could each maintain individual ownership over these brands.
- Spousal Support: With Justin’s net worth towering over Hailey’s, they might address potential alimony or simply waive it altogether. This would offer more predictability and reduce the need for court involvement, especially if they wanted to avoid public scrutiny
- Family Funds: The new parents have another family member to consider now. While they can’t put any provisions regarding child support or custody in their postnup (those are handled separately in court), they can include clauses to protect specific assets for their son Jack and any future children. This might mean setting aside funds or assets that they’re saving for their kids.
- Pets: The other beloved members of the family to consider are the fur babies. The Biebers have a dog and two cats that they’ll want to plan for! (Who gets to keep which pet should they split, and who is responsible for the pet costs).
- Social media: As one of the most high-profile celebrity couples, Justin and Hailey both have massive audiences across their social media. They may want to discuss boundaries on what they share publicly versus what stays private. Plus, penalties for either party sharing disparaging content of the other on social.
- Confidentiality: Similarly, celeb divorces often turn into media spectacles, with intimate details splashed across headlines. A postnup can include a confidentiality clause to prevent private financial and personal details from becoming public. This would protect their reputations, maintain their brand images, and give them some control over their privacy.
The bottom line on Bieber’s non-existent prenup
Justin and Hailey’s approach to marriage might be unconventional by Hollywood standards, but the Biebers are showing us that love doesn’t always follow a rulebook. Skipping a prenup might seem surprising (even risky!), but it’s clear they’re making decisions based on what feels right for them. Whether they’ve taken extra legal steps or not, one thing’s for sure—their love story is far from over, and we’ll be cheering them on every step of the way!
Jess Perillo is a legal intern at HelloPrenup, and is currently a third-year student at Suffolk University Law School. She is an Article Editor on Suffolk Law Review, and is especially interested in legal research and writing. Jess is passionate about exploring the ways technology can help close the justice gap and make legal services more accessible.
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