Marriage used to be only about love and romance. But marriage couples recognize the relevance of marriage to clarity, communication, and planning. Couples this year are exploring creative new ways to protect their assets, set boundaries, and align expectations. These new types of marriage agreements are for couples who want to be on the same page from day one. Here are some agreements that couples are using and why they are gaining traction:
Postnuptial Agreements
Postnuptial agreements are signed after a wedding. They allow couples to revisit and redefine the legal and financial terms of their marriage without undoing everything. They can outline property rights and spousal support terms. They can also spell out how shared debt will be handled if things do not work out.
Specific Lifestyle Clauses
Couples are putting lifestyle expectations into writing. These clauses can cover social media boundaries, parenting responsibilities, and pet custody plans. For example, some agreements now include a clause about not posting photos of children online without mutual consent and a weekly division of chores and childcare responsibilities. Also, clauses can include rules for maintaining individual hobbies and social lives and agreements on how often extended family visits are expected. These clauses may not always be legally enforceable in court but they serve as a guide for mutual respect and clear communication.
Digital Asset Clauses
Digital assets are no longer a niche issue with the existence of crypto wallets, influencer income, and online businesses. Couples are now specifying who owns what when it comes to things such as cryptocurrency and NFTs, monetized social media accounts, and online businesses or e-commerce platforms. Also, they consider ownership of digital intellectual property.
These assets can have real-world value. Dividing them later can get complicated without clear agreements. New-age marriage contracts address this early on. Attorneys today are becoming more tech-savvy to keep up.
Social Media and Public Image Agreements
More people are aware of their digital footprint this year. Some couples are putting rules in place around online sharing. A social media agreement might include how the couple will appear online together, whether or not fights or personal milestones can be shared publicly, and how to handle joint accounts or online collaborations. A plan for what happens to shared digital content in case of a breakup can also be included in the agreement. These agreements are especially common among influencers, business partners, and people with professional reputations to protect.
Co-Living Agreements for Unmarried or Non-Traditional Partnerships
More people are entering long-term partnerships without tying the knot. These couples are creating co-living or co-parenting agreements to outline how they will share finances, raise children, and manage household responsibilities. These documents may not hold the same legal weight as a prenup but they can be used in court to demonstrate intent. They also give partners clarity and a sense of shared structure.
Income and Career Growth Agreements
Agreements can include clauses around income contributions and long-term compensation. This is particularly common in dual-income households or where one partner plans to pause their career to raise kids. These clauses might include a promise to share retirement contributions, compensation if one partner supports the other’s business, and reimbursement for missed career opportunities or unpaid labor.
