Prenups have long had a bit of a PR problem.
They were once seen as something only celebrities, billionaires, or the deeply unromantic would bring up before a wedding. But if you’ve scrolled through TikTok or tuned into podcasts lately, you might have noticed a shift: more couples are not only talking about prenups — they’re getting them.
In a recent episode of The Decibel by The Globe and Mail, experts pointed out that prenups are no longer taboo. They’re practical. Today’s couples are marrying later, bringing more assets (and more financial complexity) into their relationships, and having frank conversations about money and fairness. It’s less about mistrust and more about mutual respect and clarity.
So, what’s behind this surge of prenup conversations? Let’s look at what’s changing — and why this trend makes so much sense right now.
The average age of marriage in Canada has risen steadily over the past few decades, with many people now tying the knot in their early to mid-30s. By that point, most have established careers, built savings, or even bought property. They’re not entering marriage from scratch — they’re merging two full financial lives.
As the Decibel episode noted, when you’ve spent a decade building your career, paying off student debt, or investing in a home, it’s natural to want to protect the progress you’ve made.
A prenup isn’t about expecting the worst; it’s about recognizing the value of what you’ve built and agreeing together on what’s fair if things change. Think of it as a financial plan for your marriage instead of as an exit strategy.
Buying a home has never been harder. In many parts of Canada, even middle-class couples need financial help from parents to afford a down payment. That help often comes as early inheritances or significant gifts — money parents intend to stay within the family line.
That’s where prenups come in. When parents gift or loan money for a home, they often want reassurance that those funds will remain protected if their child’s relationship ends. And couples are realizing that a prenup can do exactly that: clearly documenting who contributed what, and how property would be divided if the relationship changes.
We’re in the middle of the largest wealth transfer in Canadian history. As baby boomers age, billions of dollars in assets — homes, businesses, investments — are moving to millennials and Gen Z.
This shift means that many younger adults are inheriting significant assets earlier than previous generations. And with that comes a new layer of financial complexity in relationships.
Prenups help couples navigate that complexity. They allow both partners to acknowledge what’s being brought into the relationship, what’s shared, and what’s separate — all before emotions or conflict enter the picture.
For many adults in their 30s and 40s, divorce isn’t an abstract idea. It’s something they’ve witnessed — in their parents, friends, or even the news.
Think about the very public divorces of Jeff Bezos and MacKenzie Scott, or other celebrity breakups that dominated headlines. Even when handled with grace, those stories highlight how complicated it can be to separate finances after years (or decades) together.
For everyday couples, seeing those examples has sparked an important realization: it’s better to talk about these things early, when you’re getting along and on the same page.
A prenup can’t prevent heartbreak, but it can prevent unnecessary conflict and make sure both partners are treated fairly.
TikTok, Reddit, and Instagram have become surprising sources of honest conversation about money and relationships. Real people are sharing their experiences with prenups — not as cautionary tales, but as empowerment stories.
On TikTok, you’ll find creators explaining how they and their partners sat down to discuss finances openly for the first time. Others talk about how writing a prenup actually strengthened their relationship, because it forced them to talk through values, priorities, and expectations.
The stigma around prenups is fading, replaced by a more balanced view: that planning ahead is smart, not cynical.
Younger generations are approaching marriage with a new mindset. They value transparency, equality, and financial independence. Many couples split expenses evenly, talk about money openly, and see financial planning as a shared responsibility.
Prenups fit right into that ethos. They’re not about one person protecting themselves from another — they’re about both people protecting what they’ve built, and agreeing on what’s fair.
In many ways, prenups have evolved from a symbol of mistrust to a tool of empowerment. They encourage open dialogue, ensure mutual understanding, and help prevent financial surprises later.
The shift in tone around prenups mirrors a broader change in how we think about relationships and money. Just as couples now talk openly about therapy, fertility planning, and finances, they’re also embracing relationship planning, including prenups.
A prenup isn’t about doubting your relationship. It’s about valuing it enough to plan responsibly.
Enter Jointly: making prenups easy, affordable, and accessible
At Jointly, we believe everyone deserves access to reliable legal tools — not just those who can afford traditional legal fees.
That’s why we built an online platform where Canadian couples can learn about family law, understand their rights, and create clear, legally-sound prenup, postnup, and cohabitation agreements — all in plain language.
Jointly walks you through each step with guided questions, examples, and built-in legal education. The result? A customized agreement that reflects your values and circumstances — without the intimidation, confusion, or sky-high costs of traditional legal services.
Whether you’re newly engaged, moving in together, or just ready to have the money talk, Jointly helps you approach these conversations with confidence and clarity.
Protect your relationship and your future — together.
Build your prenup or cohabitation agreement online today with Jointly.