Our gift to you! 🎁 Take $25 off your prenup today! Sign up for offer code.

Prenup Encyclopedia

What is this for?

This Prenup Encyclopedia is designed to gear you and your partner up before you dive into your prenuptial agreement.

*Disclaimer: Please note that these terms and phrases are within the context of a prenuptial agreement. “You,” in this context, is a partner entering a marriage. These terms and phrases are not to be taken for literal terms or for any other use, and do not constitute legal advice.
Terms & phrases to know

Acquire

To buy or have, usually related to obtaining property, assets, debt, etc.

Adultery

Consensual sex between a spouse and another person whom is not their spouse. (Don’t cheat on your spouse, it never turns out well!)

Advice – the legal kind

Obtaining legal information regarding your prenuptial agreement from an attorney. HelloPrenup is not a law firm, and cannot provide you with legal advice or representation. If you are looking for legal advice or advice on your specific situation, you should contact a licensed attorney. 

Alimony

A payment awarded to a less wealthy spouse upon divorce or separation. The original term arises from a man paying a woman a certain amount of money to maintain her lifestyle upon divorce. Though the term rose from gender differences, it does not apply as such today. Alimony statutes differ per state and individual state statutes can define Alimony more specifically. Make sure to check your state statute for specifics!

Antenuptial Contract (ANC)

The same thing as a prenup!

Assets

Property (real or personal) that is of value, and that you may be getting a prenuptial agreement to protect. Examples include accounts, houses, cars, investments, etc.

Attorney

A person who is a member of the legal profession who is admitted to practice law in a jurisdiction in the United States.

Benefactor

In the context of inheritance or trusts, a benefactor is an individual that provides money or resources to an individual. A beneficiary is a person who is named to receive property from an estate. 

Beneficiary

A beneficiary is any person who gains an advantage and/or financial profit from something. In the context of inheritance, a beneficiary typically refers to someone eligible to receive distributions from a trust or will. You may be the beneficiary in a trust or will, or for a life insurance policy. 

Billable hours

Hours that will be billed to you by your lawyer or attorney based on the complexity of your prenup.

Bonuses included in the financial schedule of your prenup

Additional payment on top of salary. Can be performance based or company based. Make sure to include bonuses in your financial schedule.

Child support

Payments made by a parent to the other parent in order to provide for their child. Child support statutes or guidelines differ per state and individual state laws define child support more specifically. Child support cannot be contracted in a prenuptial agreement.

Clause in a prenup

A particular provision within the agreement that specifies certain outcomes for different things. Example – confidentiality clause.

Community property

This is a state-level legal term that is used to describe any income or property (real or personal) that is acquired by either partner during the marriage. The rights of these properties belong to both partners within the marriage. It is the opposite of separate property.

Contributions from either Fiancé

Something that is put up or given in participation of something else. Example – contributions to a bank account are the amount of money being placed in that account by a partner or contributions to a business are efforts put forth to further the success or running of that business.

Child Custody

Responsibility of a child, that is often defined in terms of Legal Custody and Physical Custody. Specific terms vary by state. Child custody cannot be contracted in a prenuptial agreement.

Dissolution of marriage

The marriage is no longer going to remain in effect and is underway of entering a divorce. This term is used in states differently, and can be used to refer to the first step in filing a divorce, the process of divorce, or the finalization of a divorce. It is important to check your state laws!

Divorce

The legal ending of a marriage. Divorce can refer to both the legal process associated with ending a marriage, but also with the final result.

Draft prenuptial agreement

An unsigned, “unofficial” version of your prenuptial agreement, that may be a work in process.

Earned income included in your prenuptial agreement financial schedule

Money that comes from your employment. Earned income can include taxable employee compensation and earnings from self-employment, and in certain cases, disability payments. Read more here: IRS Definition of earned income

Enforceability of a prenuptial agreement

The likelihood that your prenuptial agreement will be upheld by a court of law if contested in the future during a separation, divorce, or death

Engaged

Congratulations! You’re about to get married!

Equality

Both partners are represented in a balanced and fair way without one holding more benefit than the other.

Equitable distribution

A legal theory where marital property is distributed to divorcing spouses equitably upon a divorce. In states that operate under an equitable distribution theory, assets are often classified as either separate property or marital property. Equitable distribution does not mean equal distribution of assets, and in fact is intended to distribute assets based on a number of factors, determined by the state, that help determine the amount/assets that each party receives.

Essential inputs

Including crucial information within your prenup that is required by HelloPrenup.

Fiancé(e)

An engaged person – a person who is promised to a marriage. Also known as “off the market.”

Full and fair financial disclosure

You must include *all* of your financial information in your financial schedule. HelloPrenup offers categories to help you organize this information.

Some states require “full disclosure” of finances, and others require “full and fair financial disclosure” of finances. Regardless, if you want the greatest chance of enforcement, it is important that you disclose all of your finances. So, where do you put this information? Each fiancé will have a “Schedule A” or “Schedule B” financial schedule, that will include this information.

Full financial disclosure is imperative for a variety of reasons. If you fail to disclose all of your assets, your prenup may be found invalid in the case of a divorce. This means you and your spouse may have to take part in litigation to resolve the matters that should have been resolved in your prenup.

Want an example of what may happen should you choose NOT to disclose all of your finances? In one Massachusetts case, the appeals court invalidated a prenuptial agreement after finding a lack of full disclosure by one of the spouses (Schechter v. Schechter, 88 Mass. App. Ct. 239 (2015). In this case, the husband did not disclose his financial assets. He also falsely claimed that his primary asset, his real estate company, was a partnership when it was not.

Funds

A sum of money. Funds can refer to your money, their money, joint money.

Gen Zer

A person born between the years 1995 and 2009 who doesn’t believe in skinny jeans or side parts.

Gift(s)

Something that is given to you that you did not purchase on your own. Fun fact! An engagement ring is not a gift unless it was given on your birthday or on a holiday. Otherwise, it is a “conditional gift” and the condition of marriage must be fulfilled before it becomes marital property. IF the ring was given on your birthday or Christmas, then it is your separate property (usually).

Gratuitous transfers

A transfer of gifts or assets without anything in return.

Hire counsel

Getting legal advice and guidance from attorneys that specialize in prenuptial agreements and family planning.

Infidelity

Being unfaithful to your spouse. Not a good idea.

Inheritance

The passing of property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, obligations upon the death of an individual to another individual(s). Want to exclude any future inheritance as separate / nonmarital property (ie exclude it from the marital estate)? Make sure you know the value, make sure it is listed in your financial schedule, and make sure it is detailed in your prenuptial agreement as remaining separate.

Intellectual property – to be included in your prenup financial schedule

An invention or working project that stems from creativity – can be protected with a patent, copyright, or trademarkable rights.

Investments – to be included in your prenup financial schedule

A asset that has potential to generate income or appreciation in value over time (or at another time other than the present). All of your investments should be included in your Schedule A or B financial schedule.

Jointly held property

Property that is co-owned between you and your partner.

Joint marital property

Property that would be considered part of the marital estate and subject to division at the time of divorce.

Law of Competent Jurisdiction

This refers to which state’s law will be applied (likely to your divorce or separation matter) once the proper jurisdiction (state) is determined.

Legal custody

Legal custody is the right to make important decisions regarding the child’s life. Legal custody can be either joint or sole and it can vary depending on the case and the state. Generally, legal custody is about making the decisions for a child regarding their education, healthcare, religious upbringing, etc. Remember, legal custody of a child cannot be included in a prenuptial agreement.

Legal retainer

A prepayment to a lawyer that is held in an IOLTA account and used against legal services as they are billed.

Lifestyle clauses

Clauses that you can include in your prenup, that often relate to behavior based requirements. These can include: Infidelity clause, sunset clause, confidentiality clause, social image clause, etc.

Lump sum payments

Lump sum payments are optional to add to your prenup, and may level the playing field for couples who have great wealth disparities. They are separate from alimony or spousal support, which is dictated by and calculated according to state statute. Some couples consider including lump sum payment terms in their prenuptial agreement in the instance where one party plans to give up their job to care for children, and may have a reduced earning capacity as a result.

Marital property

Marital property is considered property that is a part of the marital estate and subject to division in the event of a divorce.

Marriage License

A marriage license is a document typically issued by the country clerk that recognizes a couple’s legal ability to get married in the county and state in which it is filed.

Couples need to acquire a marriage license in advance of their marriage ceremony.

Marriage Certificate

A marriage certificate is a document that shows you and your partner are legally married.

Psst make sure you sign your prenup before you sign your marriage certificate!

Millennial

A person born between the years 1981 and 1996, who loves avocado toast and holds much disdain for dryer sheets.

Negotiations

Strategically discussing a topic until both parties find an acceptable solution or answer. The good news? Negotiations with your spouse regarding your prenuptial agreement have never been easier! HelloPrenup’s dispute resolution phase allows you and your fiancé to clearly see a list of the discrepancies in your answers- and easily decide which answer you will finally choose before finalizing your agreement.

Nonmarital property

Property that is not considered part of the marital estate and that is not or should not be subject to division in the event of a divorce.

Party (no, not that kind of party)

A person whose interests are represented in the prenup. You are a party and your partner is a party.

Petnup clause

We know it is unjust and appalling, but in most states furry children are still technically considered “property” under the law. A “Petnup clause,” as we like to call it, allows you to include the custody of your current or future pets in your prenup. Why include this? Because should you split in the future, it is unlikely that a Court will participate in enforcing or supervising a “shared” parenting arrangement for your fluff-child without one. YIKES!

In order to determine which of you is better suited to take ownership of the pets in a divorce, you need to keep in mind the time it takes to care for a furry child, including walks, play dates, and general availability. What do vet bills cost? What about haircuts? Does Fluffster have any serious medical issues? A Petnup clause can cover all of the above.

Physical custody

Physical custody is a parent’s right to have their child reside with them, and physical custody may be granted solely to one parent, or split between both parents. Physical custody cannot be contracted to in a prenuptial agreement.

Postnuptials

An agreement signed post marriage that designates the terms of property and spousal support in the event of death, separation, or divorce. Not all states uphold postnuptial agreements, and it is widely understood that a prenuptial agreement generally has a greater chance of enforcement than a postnuptial agreement.

Premarital assets

Things you own before getting married.

Pre-marital property

Property that is yours before you get married, or property that is considered separate property by that owner within the marriage.

Prenup

So, what is a prenup anyway? You probably came to this website to find out. Good news, you’re in the right place! A prenuptial agreement, also commonly referred to as a premarital agreement, is a legal contract made between two people who plan to marry. A prenup agreement outlines certain property rights and financial agreements that the engaged couple agree to as a condition of getting married. A prenuptial agreement allows the parties to contract around state divorce laws with respect to what is considered marital property, or separate property in the case of divorce or death.

Prenuptial Agreement

What is a prenuptial agreement, you ask? Good news, you are in the right place!

A prenup, or prenuptial agreement is a private legal contract made between two people who plan to get legally married. A prenup outlines how certain property rights and financial obligations will be delineated between the individuals, as a condition of getting married. A prenup allows couples to contract around state divorce laws and decide for themselves what is considered marital or non-marital property in the event of divorce or death.

Premarital Agreement

A prenup is also known as a premarital agreement, and is just a short form of the term “prenuptial agreement.” A prenup outlines how certain property rights will be held as a condition of the marriage. Many couples choose to obtain a prenup prior to marriage in an effort to decide for themselves what is considered joint marital property or separate property in the event of a divorce or death of either party.

Prenup Lawyer

We all love lawyers, right? (just kidding). Lawyers can be useful sometimes though, like when you have questions about how your legal rights will be impacted with respect to a prenuptial agreement. And, before you sign away those rights, it is incredibly important that you understand the implications of doing so. A “prenup lawyer” is typically a matrimonial lawyer, who practices in the field relating to all things family law. 

Provisions

A clause providing for a particular matter within the agreement. Example – sunset clause.

Restricted stock included in a Schedule A or B in a Prenuptial Agreement

Restricted stock is an asset that can be included in your Schedule A or B financial schedule in your prenuptial agreement. This form of asset is a type of executive compensation where shares are issued to employees that come with conditions and a vesting period.

Revisions and changes to your prenup

Revising or making changes to your prenup. Many states allow partners to revise their prenup even after they are married, if such revisions are made following the same formalities as the prenuptial agreement, and those changes are signed and signatures are notarized.

Second marriage

If you are getting married for the second time, there are some important points to note with respect to prenups and second marriages. A prenuptial agreement can help you and your spouse-to-be decide how you will handle finances, what assets will be considered separate property or marital property, and what will happen if your marriage ever ends in divorce or death. Statistically (and we know you aren’t going to be this statistic, don’t worry!) second marriages face a greater risk of divorce, with 67% ending in divorce. If you are remarrying, chances are you have acquired more assets than if this were a first marriage, so a prenup may be more relevant to you now than before.

Separate Debt

Owing money. How will your pre-marital or debt acquired after marriage be held? A prenuptial agreement can specify what debt remains separate debt and what debt should be considered marital debt.

Separate funds

You and your partner don’t share that money together. Your money is yours, and your partner’s is theirs. Funds that are not intended to be part of the marital estate, and for that reason are kept separate.

Separate property

Property that is to remain yours, and yours alone, and not be considered part of the marital estate. Gifts can also be separate property (even if you didn’t use your own money to purchase it), so long as you specify that they should be considered Separate Property in the prenuptial agreement. In some states, Separate Property is also called “Nonmarital Property.”

Separation / Legal Separation

Legal separation is a term recognized in certain states, and not others. If Legal Separation is an option in your state, you can often petition the court to grant this status. It is important to note that being “legally separated” is a different legal status – meaning, you are no longer married, but you are not yet divorced, either. In states that recognize legal separation, that status change often includes orders about child custody and support, as well as property division and spousal support / alimony.

Spousal support

A payment from one spouse to the other spouse upon divorce or separation. The original term “alimony” arose from the olden days, when a man would need to pay his ex-wife a certain amount of money to maintain her lifestyle upon divorce (because women seldom were allowed to work- thank god times have changed!) Alimony, or in some states as they are now called, spousal support, or spousal maintenance statutes differ per state. Each state statute can define spousal support calculations pursuant to that state’s statute. Make sure to check your state statute for specifics!

Types of “Property”

Under the law (when you get divorced) property is either considered “marital property” or “community property” / “separate property” or “nonmarital property” and the terminology that is used depends on what state you live in.

Unearned income

Money that comes in from somewhere other than your employment. Example – interest in savings accounts, bonds, alimony, dividends.

Uniform Premarital Agreement Act (UPAA)

A multi-state act that helps give states guidelines on how prenuptial agreements should be drafted, what they should include, and how a prenup should be enforced. Not all states have adopted the UPAA, and some has adopted it in part with modifications.

Waiver of Legal Advice and Representation

A waiver of legal advice and representation is a paragraph after the signature page in your prenuptial agreement that is optional to include. If you include this paragraph, you are doing so because you are choosing not to have an attorney represent you in the negotiation and drafting of this prenuptial agreement, or you are choosing not to obtain legal advice about your legal rights and responsibilities under the divorce law of your state. If you would like to obtain legal advice and representation in your prenuptial agreement, great! You can do that. Many HelloPrenup users choose to take their HelloPrenup draft to an attorney before signing, so ensure they understand their rights before doing so.