Prenup/Postnup for the Stay-At-Home Mom/Stay-At-Home Dad

Chantale Suttle • December 27, 2022
A mother carries her infant outside.

A prenuptial or postnuptial agreement can relieve anxieties and fears for couples who have decided that one partner should be the stay-at-home parent. A family with a stay-at-home parent must consider support issues for their future planning, especially since Florida is a state that has considered alimony reform. As of this publication, Florida does not have alimony reform, as Governor DeSantis vetoed this measure, which passed through the legislature for a third time on June 24, 2022. Former Governor Scott vetoed similar alimony reform bills in 2013 and 2016. Since alimony reform will likely be revisited in Florida, stay-at-home parents and their partners must make their intentions for the future known on paper. 

 

While no one enters a marriage already assuming divorce, everyone should be a realist and a pragmatist for the same reason you should look both ways before crossing the street. Both spouses should confront the possibility of alimony becoming a destructive force in either person’s life (i.e., getting too little to sustain one’s usual lifestyle or paying so much that one’s quality of life is compromised).

 

The stay-at-home spouse gives up the most essential, productive, game-changing years of working, including years spent building the foundation of one’s career, promotions, making contacts, developing networks, creating a resume that translates into increasing salaries, and commanding the most money. While the stay-at-home parent is focused on caretaking, the work world is changing, and employers continue to have new technological expectations of workers every year. Remember that the stay-at-home parent gives up all, or a substantial portion, of benefits, retirement, and income that includes raises and bonuses that would have occurred had the person remained in the workforce.

 

In addition, the stay-at-home parent often loses the chance to build one's own business. Even if the stay-at-home parent succeeds in creating a business, the revenue is unlikely to match what is possible without the full-time hours of being a caretaker.

 

If you, your spouse, or your fiancé intends to be a stay-at-home parent after divorce, your prenup or postnup must be drafted to include the ex-partner’s future earnings as alimony to sustain the stay-at-home parent, regardless of whether that parent eventually returns to the workforce. Even if stay-at-home parents go back to work after the divorce, they are usually earning at a substantially lower rate after time off from careers.

 

Besides agreeing on alimony provisions, couples should decide on assets for the stay-at-home parent. Your prenup or postnup should clarify if the stay-at-home parent and children will remain in the marital home. Other basic considerations should include drafting to maintain beneficiary status for the stay-at-home parent, despite divorce, and what will happen if either parent encounters illness or disability that could interfere with providing financial support or caretaking. Other considerations can be more complex and particular to your resources, such as whether one spouse will provide for the education or training for the stay-at-home parent to return to the workforce at an improved pay rate.

 

JustPrenups can assist with either a prenup or a postnup. We walk both partners through the relevant considerations for families with a stay-at-home parent. Our process is designed to be thorough without overwhelming you and to create layers of protection in maintaining the validity of your agreement.

 

Your first consultation is free so that you have a chance to meet us and to discuss your needs.

 

Warning: All posts on this website and its partner website, JustPrenups.com, contain general information about legal matters for broad educational purposes only. This information is not legal advice and should not be treated as such. This blog post does not create any attorney-client relationship between the reader and the DADvocacy™ Law Firm or between the reader and JustPrenups.com

 

Request Consultation →
Request Consultation →
By justprenups.com January 30, 2026
Regardless of what your business is, we offer the following information for valuing your business.
By justprenups.com January 27, 2026
There is no single “correct” way to dispose of a wedding ring after a broken engagement.
By Cindy Aldridge January 22, 2026
Core Points: ● Style clarity makes every decision easier later ● Budget choices shape guest experience more than décor ● Vendors should support your vision, not override it ● Timelines protect joy as much as logistics ● Personal moments matter more than perfection Starting With the Story You’re Telling Before venues or colors enter the conversation, define the feeling you want the day to carry. Is it intimate and slow, or loud and celebratory? When couples agree on the emotional tone first, decisions stop feeling reactive and start feeling aligned. This shared vision becomes your filter . If something doesn’t fit the story you’re telling, it doesn’t belong—no matter how popular it is. Budget Choices That Protect What Matters Money conversations can be uncomfortable, but they’re also revealing. A thoughtful budget isn’t about cutting joy; it’s about choosing where joy shows up. Some couples value food and music above all else, while others prioritize photography or a meaningful location. Before allocating numbers, talk honestly about what you’ll remember in ten years. That perspective keeps spending intentional instead of emotional. Design Decisions That Reflect Personality Design is where your style becomes visible. Colors, textures, attire, and florals all signal who you are as a couple. The most memorable weddings don’t chase trends—they feel cohesive and sincere. Use this moment to decide where you want simplicity and where you want drama. Balance is what keeps the day from feeling overdesigned or underwhelming. Choosing the Right People to Work With Vendors are collaborators, not just service providers. The best ones listen carefully and ask thoughtful questions instead of pushing prepackaged ideas. Chemistry matters here more than credentials alone. Before signing contracts, make sure each vendor understands not just what you want, but why you want it. That understanding shows up in the final result. A Planning Flow That Keeps You Grounded This approach helps couples move forward without feeling scattered: ● Clarify the emotional tone you want guests to feel ● Decide what deserves the biggest share of the budget ● Lock in the venue before finalizing design details ● Choose vendors who align with your communication style ● Build a timeline that includes rest, not just tasks Capturing Your Journey as a Couple One powerful way to personalize your celebration is by creating a short video that traces your relationship—from the first date to the proposal. Played at the reception, it gives guests context for what they’re celebrating and turns shared history into a collective moment. Old photos, casual clips, and voice notes can all come together into something meaningful. This isn’t about polish; it’s about honesty and connection. To elevate the final result, you can refine lighting, color, and stability using video effects in Premiere Pro , which also make it easy to remove distractions and enhance visual flow. How Timing Shapes the Entire Experience A realistic timeline protects your energy. When everything is rushed, even beautiful moments blur together. When there’s breathing room , you actually experience the day you planned. Build in transition time. It’s not wasted—it’s where laughter, calm, and presence live. Comparing Big Decisions
More Posts →