What Should a Woman Ask for in a Prenup?

Though I can’t give out any legal advice, I can share my personal experience about going through a bad divorce and basically leaving everything after over 17 years of marriage. If I get married again, as a woman who’s been through this before, I’d entertain a conversation about a prenup—as long as it comes from a genuine place and is designed to protect both me and my partner.

Resource: Check out my YouTube video related to this blog

When most people think of prenuptial or prenup agreements, they imagine a wealthy spouse trying to protect their assets from a money-hungry partner. However, prenups aren’t just for the rich and famous.

They can also protect the less wealthy spouse, particularly someone who might be vulnerable due to life circumstances such as staying home to raise children or facing the heartbreak of an abusive relationship. For women, asking, “What Should a Woman Ask for in a Prenup?” is not a question of mistrust, but rather a step toward ensuring a partnership built on mutual respect, fairness, and foresight.

For me, real love is about protecting your spouse—not just in the present but also from the “future you,” should unforeseen changes occur. That’s why I believe a prenup would be a good idea in my next relationship.

Here are seven reasons why I will likely pursue a prenup in the future and what I would ask for as a woman who may earn less or decide to stay home and raise children again.

1) Financial Protection in Abusive Situations

Reflecting on my own experience, I walked away from 17 years of marriage because the relationship became abusive. I left behind the real estate, my pension, my 401k, and even retained debt from our short-term rental business simply to escape and ensure my safety. If I had a prenup with clauses addressing abuse, I might have been able to retain some financial stability rather than having to rebuild from scratch as a single mom with few resources.

2) Safeguarding Efforts During the Marriage

During my previous marriage, I worked tirelessly to pay off $120,000 in debt for both me and my spouse. I also home-schooled my children, managed their acting careers, and brought debt-free real estate into the marriage. A prenup could ensure that contributions—financial or otherwise—aren’t overlooked or devalued in the event of divorce.

3) Support for a Stay-at-Home Parent

Taking time off from the workforce to stay home with my children significantly impacted my earning potential. A prenup could include provisions, like a lump sum payment clause or alimony payments, to ensure that if one partner sacrifices their career to raise kids, they are not financially disadvantaged later.

4) Protecting Current and Future Assets

Since my divorce, fortunately, I have rebuilt my life and regained financial independence, accumulating new assets. A prenup would allow me to protect what I’ve worked so hard to achieve for my current children while opening the door for future conversations about joint assets and inheritances should I have more children later on.

5) Accountability in Cases of Infidelity or Abuse

If a partner cheats or becomes abusive, the financial protections of a prenup could help alleviate the burden of divorce. Knowing that there’s a safety net for such scenarios would provide peace of mind. I believe love thrives when both parties feel secure and valued.

6) Equalization for Unequal Earnings

Prenups can help define how expenses, savings, and investments are managed during the marriage. For example, it could outline joint accounts for household expenses, with contributions based on income percentages rather than equal amounts. This promotes fairness while respecting the financial differences between partners.

7) Planning for the Future Together

A healthy prenup is more than a financial safety net. It’s an opportunity to sit down with your partner and have honest conversations about finances, life goals, and family planning. This collaboration ensures that both parties feel protected and aligned as they build a life together.

My decision to get a prenup in my next relationship isn’t about mistrust. It’s about ensuring fairness, security, and mutual respect regardless of how the relationship evolves. Real love, to me, means wanting to protect your partner—just as much as you’d want to protect yourself. A prenup might not sound romantic, but it’s one of the most practical ways to prioritize love, fairness, and foresight in a marriage.

Resource: Explore PreNup Options with Hello PreNup