A prenup costs about $1,000 to $10,000 in 2026
Most prenups cost about $1,000 to $10,000 in total in 2026. A 2024 survey put the average near $8,000. If each partner hires their own lawyer, plan on $3,000 to $10,000 or more for the couple. If you only need a lawyer to review a prenup someone gave you, the average flat fee is about $550.
What a prenup costs
| Most prenups, total | $1,000 to $10,000 |
|---|---|
| Average paid, 2024 survey | About $8,000 |
| Attorney drafted, per couple | $3,000 to $10,000+ |
| One firm's estimate, couple total | $4,000 to $20,000+ |
| Prenup lawyer hourly rate | $250 to $1,000+ |
| One online firm, both lawyers, flat | $5,000 |
| Online flat fee platform, from | About $649 |
| Lawyer review only, average flat fee | About $550 |
| New York, draft average, flat fee | $960 |
| Florida prenup | $3,500 to $10,000+ |
| Notarizing, Florida | $50 to $150 |
The numbers look far apart because some sources count one lawyer and others count both partners. Some sources are firms that sell prenups, so weigh them as asking prices. Sources: LegalShield, prenup cost, lawyer fees and online options (April 2026); Consumer Shield, how much does a prenup cost (May 2026); First Learn, how much does a prenup cost (July 2026); Neptune, how much does a prenup cost in 2026 (August 2026); ContractsCounsel, prenuptial agreement cost (August 2026); ContractsCounsel, New York prenuptial agreement cost (July 2026); Neptune, prenup cost in Florida (August 2026).
What changes your price
- Lawyer fees. This is the biggest part of the bill, especially if the lawyer bills by the hour.
- One lawyer or two. Each partner having their own lawyer doubles the legal work.
- How complex your money is. A business, real estate or a large estate costs more.
- Where you live. Big cities cost more. Lawyers in New York and San Francisco can charge $250 to $1,000 or more an hour.
- Flat fee or hourly. A flat fee makes the total known before you start.
- Drafting or reviewing. Reviewing a prenup costs much less than writing one.
Why one prenup can cost $1,000 and another $20,000
LegalShield and Consumer Shield both put most prenups at $1,000 to $10,000 in total, and Consumer Shield notes a 2024 survey with an average near $8,000. First Learn says a traditional lawyer drafted prenup runs $3,000 to $10,000 or more per couple, while online flat fee services start around $649 with notarization.
Neptune, a firm that sells a flat fee prenup, says a prenup usually needs two independent lawyers, one for each partner, so the couple total is the number to plan around. It puts the all in cost for a couple at $4,000 to $20,000 or more, and its own flat fee at $5,000 for both lawyers. Consumer Shield also says it is a good idea to have your own lawyer and not depend on your future spouse's, though that raises the cost.
ContractsCounsel, a legal marketplace, shows how much lower a single lawyer job can be. It reports an average flat fee of about $550 to review a prenup, and in New York about $960 to draft one and $630 to review one. Sources: LegalShield, prenup cost, lawyer fees and online options (April 2026); Consumer Shield, how much does a prenup cost (May 2026); First Learn, how much does a prenup cost (July 2026); Neptune, how much does a prenup cost in 2026 (August 2026); ContractsCounsel, prenuptial agreement cost (August 2026); ContractsCounsel, New York prenuptial agreement cost (July 2026).
Other legal and wedding costs
A prenup is one of several costs around a wedding. See our wedding dress alterations page for another one. If a marriage does end, our Florida divorce page shows what that process can cost.
Lawyers set their prices in different ways. Our real estate attorney fees and tax attorney pages show how other legal work is priced.
How to judge the price you are quoted
- Ask if the price covers one lawyer or both partners.
- Ask if it is a flat fee or an hourly rate, and what the hourly rate is.
- Ask if notarizing and any revisions are included.
- Ask how many rounds of changes are covered.
- Compare with $1,000 to $10,000 in total.
Ways to pay less
- Pick a flat fee so the total is known before you start.
- Talk about money with your partner first. Neptune says starting early and agreeing on goals keeps billable hours down.
- If someone gave you a prenup, pay for a review, which averages about $550, not a full rewrite.
- Have your paperwork and a list of your assets ready before the first meeting.
- Be careful with online options. Consumer Shield warns a prenup made without a lawyer review can be challenged in court.
How we got these numbers
Lawyers and legal firms set their own prices. The ranges come from 2026 legal guides and marketplace data, as dated below. We do not add our own guesses. This is not legal advice. All numbers were checked on September 28, 2026.
Common questions
How much does a prenup cost?
Most cost about $1,000 to $10,000 in total in 2026. If each partner has a lawyer, expect $3,000 to $10,000 or more for the couple.
How much does a lawyer charge to review a prenup?
The average flat fee is about $550, per ContractsCounsel marketplace projects.
Can I make a prenup online?
Yes. Online flat fee services start around $649 with notarization. Consumer Shield warns that a prenup made without a lawyer review can be challenged.
Do we each need our own lawyer?
Sources like Consumer Shield and Neptune recommend it. It raises the cost but can make the agreement stronger.