Singapore Wedding Guide

Can You Love Someone and Still Want a Prenup?

Written by Cynthia G | May 20, 2025 9:01:25 AM

It’s a quiet dinner at your favourite restaurant. You’ve just ordered dessert. You’re two months away from your ROM. Everything’s perfect — until your partner leans in and says:

“Hey… I was thinking. Should we get a prenup?”

Cue: awkward silence. Maybe even a gasp. Or worse — a look of betrayal.

We often treat marriage as the final stamp of emotional security. So, the idea of introducing something as legalistic and clinical as a prenuptial agreement into the mix can feel, well, like inviting a lawyer into your bedroom.

But maybe it’s time to reframe that reaction.

Because here’s the truth: Yes, you can love someone deeply and still want a prenup. In fact, you might love them more for it.

First, What Exactly Is a Prenup?

A prenuptial agreement (prenup, for short) is a contract signed before marriage that outlines how assets and finances will be handled in the event of a divorce or separation.

In Singapore, while prenups are not automatically legally binding, the courts will take them into account — especially when they are entered into voluntarily, with both parties receiving independent legal advice and where the terms are fair and reasonable.

It’s not just for the rich or celebrities. It’s for anyone who values clarity and protection — and yes, peace of mind.

“But Doesn’t That Mean You’re Planning to Divorce?”

That’s the number one concern, isn’t it?

But consider this:
  • You buy home insurance, not because you want your house to burn down.
  • You write a will, not because you’re planning to die young.
  • You set boundaries in a relationship, not because you expect betrayal — but because you believe the relationship is worth protecting.

A prenup isn’t about preparing to fail. It’s about agreeing, in advance, how you’ll honour each other fairly, no matter what happens. It’s future-proofing your love — not undermining it.

Financial Transparency Is Romantic

Let’s be real. Marriage isn’t just a union of hearts. It’s a legal and financial partnership.

Talking about debts, savings, inheritance, CPF, or even whether to merge bank accounts [24.Should Husband and Wife Have a Joint Bank Account?] — these aren’t cold, transactional conversations. They’re essential acts of mutual respect.

And if one or both partners have:
  • Children from a previous relationship,
  • Family businesses,
  • Significant inheritance, or
  • Vastly different financial standings

A prenup can provide structure, avoid future conflict, and protect vulnerable parties.

Singapore’s Legal Landscape

Under Singapore law, matrimonial assets — such as properties bought during the marriage or even CPF used for housing — are subject to division in the event of divorce, typically based on contributions.

A prenup can clarify:
  • How to treat pre-marital property,
  • How to handle joint vs individual savings,
  • Spousal maintenance terms (if any),
  • Ownership of businesses or intellectual property.

That said, the court will always prioritise fairness, especially where children are involved. A prenup won’t override that — but it can guide the conversation and reduce litigation stress.

So… Should You Bring It Up?

Yes — but with care.

Don’t spring it over a latte at Starbucks or throw it in during a fight about the wedding budget. Approach it with empathy, not suspicion.

Say something like:

“I love you, and I want us to go into this marriage with clarity and trust. Can we talk about what our financial life would look like — both in the best and worst-case scenarios?”

It’s not easy. But often, the couples who are brave enough to have hard conversations before marriage are the ones most likely to navigate it well.

Final Thoughts: Love ≠ Blindness

The healthiest marriages aren’t built on fantasy. They’re built on clear communication, intentional planning and a shared understanding of each other’s values — financial and emotional.

So yes — you can absolutely love someone and still want a prenup.

Not because you doubt the love. But because you believe in protecting the partnership you’re building — and the people in it.

And honestly, what’s more romantic than that?