One of the most recent high-profile celebrity marriages to end in an unfortunate divorce was the so-called “Bennifer 2.0,” or the long-brewing marriage between Hollywood superstars Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. After only two years of marriage, Lopez filed for divorce on August 20, 2024. Without a prenuptial agreement in place, Lopez and Affleck’s lawyers had to negotiate how to equally divide their shared properties, which included their multimillion-dollar estate in Beverly Hills, as well as their earnings from business ventures during the timespan of their marriage. The proceedings were finalized recently. Thankfully the sources say that they did not nickel and dime each other and they parted as friends. However, this is not always the case.
Prenuptial agreements, popularly referred to as prenups, have long been viewed as the daddy of all controversies in celebrity marriages. Even though it may seem like a no-brainer for rich and famous individuals to safeguard their hard-earned assets ahead of walking down the aisle, not all do. Some high-profile, famous couples forgo the security of a prenup despite the financial risks.
To understand just why many celebrities would take this route, we went to Kirk Stange of Stange Law Firm, widely regarded by many as one of the most well-known divorce attorneys in the country. Mr. Stange was chosen as one of the Super Lawyers for Family Law by Missouri and Kansas Super Lawyers Magazine since 2015. His law office, Stange Law Firm, serves nine states, is the second-largest family law firm in the country, and has more than 50 attorneys. His latest offices are in Houston, Texas and Louisville, Kentucky. Their practice focuses on divorce, child custody, paternity, and others relevant to family law.
The Role of Emotion
According to Stange, one factor contributing to why many celebrities do not get a prenup is very simply along the lines of emotion. “When two people fall in love and take steps towards making it legal, they often fear bringing up the subject of a prenuptial agreement will kill the romance,” Stange says, “For many, the thought of preparing for a divorce while planning a wedding feels cynical or even insulting.”
The idea of a prenuptial is irreconcilable with the image of celebrity romances as fairy tales. They want to project an image of eternal love and optimism that may lead them to feel that their marriage is invincible despite the sometimes staggeringly high divorce rates.
Pressure from the Other Party
Stange says that quite often, one party is opposed to a prenup, while the other acquiesces just to keep the peace. “One person in the relationship, particularly when there is a great power or wealth imbalance, may feel uncomfortable bringing up a prenuptial agreement,” he told me. “It may even make them feel like their partner does not have confidence in the marriage or that they are viewed as a potential gold-digger.
In such cases, the superstar with greater financial clout may be willing to give up a prenup to show commitment and a trusting attitude towards the less financially recognized partner. The cost, naturally, would be a huge settlement after the divorce.
Public Image and Brand Management
Another point Stange makes is about image and branding. Celebrities are not just private individuals but public personas, too, with brands attached to them. “Many celebrities are keenly aware of how the public perceives their relationships,” says Stange. “Negotiating a prenuptial agreement could paint them more as being about money than love, and that can be damaging to their brand.”
Consider the celebrity whose persona is built off romanticism and relatability; signing a prenup can make them appear cold and transactional and could very well alienate many fans. For some, their public image is actually worth more than the financial security a prenup might provide.
Optimism and Overconfidence
The wealthy and successful are often brimming with confidence, even to the point of believing they can defy odds-even the odds of divorce. “Many celebrities are used to winning,” says Stange. “They’ve conquered their fields, and that winning attitude extends to their personal lives. This overconfidence leads them to believe that their marriage will succeed where others have failed.”
This may breed a feeling of invincibility whereby celebrities think the situation cannot happen to them since they will be an exception.
Legal Complexity and Last-Minute Weddings
Stange also says that some celebrities avoid prenups because of pressure for time or legal complexity. “Celebrity weddings are often grand affairs, and the planning can be chaotic. Sometimes, they don’t get around to signing a prenup simply because there isn’t enough time,” he says.
The prenuptial agreement can be quite a legal complication, especially when dealing with extensive wealth, properties, and future earnings. For a celebrity about to have a whirlwind wedding, navigating through those complexities may be more than what one can handle.
Cultural and Family Beliefs
Some stars may object to prenups based on cultural or familial objections. There are some cultures in which even bringing up the subject is a complete taboo and a no-confidence vote. “Family pressure can play a role here,” says Stange. “If someone comes from a background where marriage is viewed as a lifelong commitment, a prenup can be seen as undermining that commitment.”
In instances when celebrities take highly into consideration family or cultural beliefs, they may decide not to have a prenup as a sign of respect for heritage or upbringing.
Conclusion: Should Celebrities Always Get a Prenup?
While there are plenty of reasons why celebrities skip prenups, attorney Stange insists on the benefits of said agreements. “A prenuptial agreement is a financial safety net. It doesn’t mean you’re planning for a divorce; it means you’re being practical,” he says. “In a world where love and money often intersect in complex ways, a prenup can provide clarity and protection for both parties.”
While some celebrities balk from prenups due to emotional or image concerns, the financial consequences can be exorbitantly high when marriages turn sour and end in divorce. Lastly, Stange would urge that couples, most specifically couples in the public eye, see having a prenuptial agreement as a real necessity to take care of their future, together or apart.
