Should You Have a Prenup Like TayTay and Travis Kelce? Financial Pros and Cons To Weigh
Though there’s been no public confirmation, “insiders” and “sources close to the matter” insist that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce signed a prenuptial agreement ahead of getting hitched. It wouldn't exactly be shocking to see. With a net worth gap of $2+ billion between them, a prenup just makes sense.
But here's the thing: prenups have a PR problem. Mention them in a relationship, and suddenly people think you're already planning the breakup. Yet the truth is they're not just for the ultra-wealthy or the cynical. Here are the real arguments for — and against — getting one.
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Pro: Prenups Aren't Just for Rich People
“I think one of the biggest misconceptions about prenups is that they're only for people with Taylor Swift money,” said Jenny Bradley, attorney and firm owner at Triangle Smart Divorce. “You don't need a private jet and a billion-dollar catalog to have something worth protecting.”
But what are you protecting if you don’t have vast wealth? Quite a lot of other very important things, potentially.
“Couples may want to address what happens to a beloved pet,” Bradley said. “They can plan for digital assets like crypto, creator income, intellectual property or an online business that could become significantly more valuable during the marriage.”
Pro: It Forces You To Have Critical Money Conversations
Let's be honest: most couples don't actually discuss finances before marriage. A prenup changes that. By working through one, you're forced to be transparent about debt, assets and financial goals — ideally before you're legally enmeshed.
“Most couples don't get into trouble because they had too many honest conversations about money,” Bradley said. “How you navigate a prenup can also tell you a lot about how you'll navigate difficult financial conversations during the marriage.”
Pro: You Actually Get a Say in Your Own Future
Each state has laws around marriage and divorce that are set in stone, meaning your union is, in a legal sense, not wholly your own.
“If you don't contract terms with your spouse-to-be, your prenuptial agreement is what the state dictates,” said Lauren Blau, a partner at Chemtob Moss Forman & Beyda, a matrimonial firm.
A prenup gives you and your partner control over your own legal outcome.
Pro: It Can Help With Estate Planning
A prenup can do more than protect you in a divorce. It can clarify your wishes if something happens to you.
"If you do not have a will in place, a prenuptial agreement can lay out intent for how you want to divide assets until you get a trust and estate lawyer involved," said Tina Sharma, an attorney specializing in divorce law.
Con: Your Financial Situation Could Change After Signing
The one con of signing a prenup is highly hypothetical: the possibility that your financial lives drastically change over the course of your marriage.
“Maybe one spouse leaves the workforce to raise children or someone starts a business,” said Russell D. Knight, a divorce and family law attorney. “Maybe one person's career takes off because the other person takes responsibility for the household. Maybe there is illness or disability. Maybe the couple becomes far wealthier than either imagined.”
Fortunately, a prenup isn't static — it can be revisited and updated.
Pro: It Could Save Your Marriage
If you take away just one reason to consider a prenup, let it be this one: a prenup could salvage your marriage. This may sound flagrantly counterintuitive. How can a legal agreement all about divorce save a marriage?
A prenup actually enables a couple to responsibly and officially get ahead of the things that so often tear even the most loving couples apart. It helps you to get aligned on financial goals (including retirement planning), forces full transparency and — it must be repeated — guarantees the security of our most selfless family members: our pets!
The Bottom Line
A prenup isn't a prediction of failure. It's a sign you're taking your relationship seriously. Whether you have $2 billion or $200,000, there's something worth protecting. More importantly, there's a conversation worth having. And if Taylor and Travis figured that out, maybe it's time you did too.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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