We recommend entering into a prenuptial agreement early, since there can be legal consequences for signing a prenup too close to your wedding. You should also avoid entering into a prenup too far ahead of your wedding (not more than 180 days in advance). Some reasons are avoiding an argument that either party forgot what was in the prenup (or that they even signed one) by the time they get married, or that life circumstances have unknowingly made the prenup terms inaccurate by the time the marriage occurs.
The timing we suggest couples enter into their prenuptial agreement 1 to 3 months prior to the marriage. Unfortunately, many marriages don’t have a fairy tale ending. Those divorcing couples who entered into a valid prenuptial agreement before getting married have a document that provides their desires in a legal document, minimizes potential conflict and legal costs. A well-drafted prenup is like a road map that helps both spouses find the path of least resistance and conflict amidst the emotional turmoil of the separation and divorce process.
Responsible adults routinely prepare for the unexpected as part of their everyday lives, but they generally protect against catastrophic events that have less than a 5% chance of occurring. The chances of a marital “disaster” approach is often 50% or higher, so every marrying couple should consider getting a prenup.