This year’s wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has reignited public interest in prenuptial agreements —especially among the ultra-wealthy. With a net worth exceeding $200 billion, it’s likely that Bezos took legal steps to protect his fortune. In fact, prenuptial agreements are one of the most essential tools high-net-worth individuals use to safeguard their assets. But they are also common for anyone looking to clarify financial matters before marriage.

For high-profile couples, prenups do more than determine who keeps the private jet. They often include clauses that limit what can be shared publicly about the marriage or divorce, including posts on social media or even the existence of the agreement itself. Confidentiality provisions can prevent the release of financial records, intimate details, or potentially embarrassing stories.

Prenups also address practical concerns, especially around illiquid assets, or those that can’t be easily sold or divided. These may include startup equity, royalty streams from intellectual property, or complex family trusts. Without a clear agreement, dividing such assets can lead to painful trade-offs or hefty tax bills. For instance, selling company shares to fund a divorce settlement could trigger significant capital gains taxes. Transferring voting shares might even shift control of a business. A well-crafted prenup can help avoid these unintended consequences.

When wealth spans borders, things get even more complex. Wealthy couples often own property in multiple states or countries, and a divorce can be filed in any of them. A prenup that’s valid in New York might not be enforceable in London. That’s why choice-of-law clauses are critical—they ensure the agreement follows a specific jurisdiction’s rules, no matter where the divorce takes place. Experienced matrimonial attorneys typically vet these agreements in each relevant jurisdiction to confirm enforceability.

Some ultra-wealthy couples take prenup clauses to the extreme. Stipulations around weight maintenance, required weekly workouts, or financial penalties for infidelity—such as $1 million per affair—have all made headlines. However, courts are often unwilling to enforce provisions they deem invasive or punitive. Similarly, child custody or support terms are generally off-limits in a prenup.

Ultimately, people with significant wealth aren’t always looking to cut their spouses off completely. Many are open to generous terms that avoid prolonged negotiations. Some agreements even include "sunset clauses" that increase payouts over time—for example, $5 million after five years of marriage, $20 million after ten, and full dissolution of the prenup after twenty.

You don’t need to be a billionaire to consider a prenup. Divorce can be complicated, no matter what your financial situation might be. A prenup will also allow the parties to engage in estate planning that might otherwise be prohibited. That’s why it’s helpful to consult an experienced family law attorney. Contact the top attorneys for prenuptial agreements in Bucks County at Williams Family Law for help by phone at 215-340-2207, or email us at info@bucksfamilylawyers.com.