The Michigan Prenup Guide: Securing Your Financial Future Together

Published on: 23 Mar 2025

Marriage is a celebration of love, commitment, and building a future with your partner. But while you're planning your wedding day in Detroit, Grand Rapids, or Ann Arbor, it’s just as important to plan for your long-term financial wellbeing. A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is one of the most effective tools Michigan couples can use to establish financial clarity, reduce conflict, and protect individual assets and interests.

In Michigan, where state laws follow equitable distribution, courts divide marital property in divorce based on what they consider “fair,” which isn’t always a 50/50 split. A well-crafted prenup allows couples—not judges—to define fairness on their own terms.

Whether you're getting married for the first time or entering a blended family, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about prenuptial agreements in Michigan, including what they cover, how they work, and why more couples across the state are choosing to create one before saying "I do."

1. What Is a Prenuptial Agreement?

A prenuptial agreement is a legally binding contract signed by two people before marriage that outlines how finances will be handled during the marriage and if the relationship ends. In Michigan, prenups are legally recognized and enforceable as long as they meet certain requirements.

With a prenup, Michigan couples can:

• Protect pre-marital assets such as property, savings, or investments
• Define responsibility for debts brought into the marriage
• Customize the division of assets if the marriage ends
• Establish spousal support (alimony) terms
• Clarify business ownership and inheritance rights

Without a prenup, these decisions fall under Michigan’s equitable distribution rules, and the final outcome may be very different from what either spouse envisioned.

2. Why Michigan Couples Choose Prenups

Prenups are not about expecting divorce—they’re about financial understanding and protecting what you’ve built before, during, and after marriage.

2.1. Protecting Pre-Marital Assets

If you bought a condo in downtown Detroit, started a business in Traverse City, or inherited a family cottage in the Upper Peninsula before marriage, a prenup can ensure these assets remain yours—even if they grow in value during the marriage.

2.2. Managing Debt Responsibility

In a time when many people carry student loans, credit card debt, or business liabilities, a prenup ensures that debt remains the responsibility of the spouse who incurred it.

Without one, courts may treat those obligations as shared—even if one partner had nothing to do with the debt.

2.3. Defining Property Division

Michigan’s equitable distribution laws leave room for interpretation. A judge will determine what’s fair based on various factors, including the length of the marriage and financial contributions. A prenup bypasses this uncertainty by clearly outlining how assets will be divided.

2.4. Supporting Blended Families or Second Marriages

Many Michigan couples enter marriage with children from prior relationships. A prenup can help:

• Protect family inheritances
• Clarify which assets go to biological children
• Prevent confusion or disputes about property in the future

2.5. Setting Expectations for Alimony

Prenups can include provisions for spousal support (also known as alimony), including whether it will be paid, how much, and for how long. This gives both spouses clarity and confidence about what happens in case of separation.

3. Are Prenups Enforceable in Michigan?

Yes, as long as your prenup meets the following legal requirements:

3.1. The Agreement Must Be in Writing

Verbal agreements won’t hold up in court. Your prenup must be a written contract signed by both parties before marriage.

3.2. It Must Be Signed Voluntarily

Both parties must sign the prenup freely and willingly. If one party was pressured or coerced, a court may throw it out.

3.3. There Must Be Full Financial Disclosure

Each partner must provide a full and honest disclosure of their financial situation. Hiding assets or income can lead to the agreement being invalidated.

3.4. The Terms Must Be Fair and Reasonable

If a prenup is heavily one-sided or unjustly benefits one spouse, it may be challenged later. Courts will look at whether the agreement was fair at the time it was signed and during enforcement.

4. What Can and Can’t Be Included in a Michigan Prenup

A prenup in Michigan can include:

• Division of property and debts
• Rules for handling business interests or real estate
• Alimony or spousal support terms
• Protection of inheritances or gifts
• Rules for future income or earnings

A prenup in Michigan cannot include:

• Child custody or child support decisions (these are determined by the court based on the child’s best interest)
• Anything illegal or against public policy

5. Common Misconceptions About Prenups

“Prenups Are Just for the Wealthy”

False. While they do help protect significant wealth, prenups are just as valuable for couples who want financial clarity, even if they’re starting from scratch.

“A Prenup Means You’re Planning for Divorce”

Not at all. A prenup is about planning for all outcomes, just like getting health or car insurance. It provides protection—not pessimism.

“We’ll Just Sort It Out If Something Happens”

Sorting things out during a divorce is often expensive, emotional, and unpredictable. A prenup makes those decisions ahead of time, when both partners are thinking clearly and cooperatively.

6. How to Create a Prenup in Michigan with prenups.ai

In the past, prenups were expensive, intimidating, and required multiple law firm meetings. Now, prenups.ai allows Michigan couples to create a legally sound, customized prenup online—quickly, easily, and affordably.

Why Use prenups.ai?

• ✅ Guided, step-by-step creation process
• ✅ Customizable templates that match Michigan law
• ✅ Affordable pricing—no $3,000+ attorney bill
• ✅ State-specific compliance for peace of mind

Whether you’re planning your wedding in Lansing, Birmingham, or Kalamazoo, prenups.ai helps you draft a prenup that fits your relationship and your goals.

7. Final Thoughts

A prenuptial agreement isn’t about fear or mistrust—it’s about preparation, communication, and building a strong foundation for the future. For Michigan couples, a prenup can offer financial protection, clarity, and peace of mind in one of life’s biggest commitments.

By defining what’s fair now, you reduce uncertainty later. And by addressing finances upfront, you create space for trust and understanding in your relationship.

📌 Start your Michigan prenup today at prenups.ai and take control of your financial future—together.