Prenuptial agreement costs vary based on the complexity of both parties' finances and whether the agreement is likely to be contested later — a straightforward agreement between two people with modest, clearly separate assets costs far less than one involving businesses, trusts, or significant premarital wealth.
Why both parties usually need separate counsel
For a prenup to hold up if it's ever challenged, most states expect both parties to have had the opportunity for independent legal review — meaning the total cost typically includes two attorneys, not one, even though only one side may initiate the drafting.
What adds complexity — and cost
Business ownership, real estate, inheritance expectations, and provisions for spousal support all add drafting complexity. A prenup addressing only basic separate-property terms is simpler than one built around a family business or significant premarital assets.
Timing affects cost too
Prenups drafted with plenty of time before the wedding are more straightforward than ones rushed close to the date — both because there's time for thorough financial disclosure and because rushed agreements face more scrutiny if challenged later.
Why the cost is worth it relative to what's at stake
Compared to what's often being protected — a business, an inheritance, future earnings — the cost of a properly drafted prenup is typically small, and a poorly drafted or unenforceable one provides no protection at all despite the money spent.