More Couples Are Signing Prenups Before Saying “I Do”

Few get married expecting to later get divorced, but more couples are entering into a prenuptial agreement — a pre-martial contract outlining the division of assets in the event of a separation — as part of their wedding planning checklist. Of Americans who have been married or are currently engaged, 15% report that they’ve signed a prenup, up from just 3% in 2010.

While these couples are still in the minority, a recent survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of The New Yorker found that this may not continue to be the case. Four in 10 US adults (42%) support the use of prenups and 35% of those who are unmarried state that they’re likely to sign a prenuptial agreement in the future.  

This survey was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll from May 20, 2022 to May 23, 2022 among 1,073 US adults, ages 18 and older. Figures for age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, region, household income, and propensity to be online have been weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions within the US population. Respondents for this survey were selected from a pool of potential respondents who have agreed to participate in The Harris Poll’s online research. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 4.0 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For more information, please contact Madelyn Franz.