By Michael Henley, CFP®, CPWA®, CRPC®, RMA®

You and your partner are planning to marry. Both of you are over 50 and have children from previous marriages. Have you considered how prenups and postnups might benefit your relationship?

You might believe prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are only for the super wealthy or celebrities. You also might resist talking about the end of a marriage that has yet to begin. At Brandywine Oak, we believe it is far better to prepare than to repair.

There is value in stepping back to talk about what financial alignment looks like before and after you say, “I do.” That conversation can set the stage for a thoughtful approach to combining families, managing expectations, and preserving the relationships and resources that matter most.

Why Financial Planning Is Different the Second (or Third) Time Around

While love anchors your desire to remarry, other emotions over a blended family, your previous marriage, and new financial dynamics can create marital challenges. When wealth and family intersect, emotions run high. A solid Family Wealth Plan is not about distrust; it is about protecting what matters most to the family.

Entering your second or third marriage, you may hold significant assets: real estate, a business, and retirement plans. You may also have children, so you may need to consider their inheritance.

Remarrying later with a more complex financial situation requires different financial planning methods than your first marriage to safeguard your assets and delineate financial expectations and responsibilities.

The Role of a Prenup Before Marriage

For couples remarrying later in life, or where one partner has accumulated more assets or anticipates a significant inheritance, a prenup can help set clear boundaries around what each person brings into the relationship. It can outline how assets would be treated if the marriage ends, helping to reduce conflict and confusion during an already difficult time.

A prenuptial agreement can cover these key areas:

  • Dividing property
  • Providing spousal support
  • Preserving inheritance
  • Clarifying business interests

There are common fears around prenups, particularly the idea that creating one signals a lack of faith in the marriage. But that’s a misconception. As someone once said, just like having life insurance doesn’t mean you expect to die soon, having a prenup doesn’t mean you’re planning for divorce. It’s about being prepared for all possibilities.

When thoughtfully crafted, a prenuptial agreement should be fair, mutually beneficial, and rooted in mutual respect. It doesn’t just protect financial interests, it opens the door to honest conversations about money, expectations, and shared values. For many couples, having these conversations before marriage can strengthen the foundation of their relationship.

What if You Are Already Married? Enter the Postnuptial Agreement

You can benefit from a postnuptial agreement if you are already married. You might consider a postnup if you married quickly or your circumstances changed after marrying, such as:

  • Career advancement
  • Significant salary increases
  • Shifts in your blended family

These changes may require legal clarity.

Consider the example of a couple who marries later in life. Years in, one spouse receives an eight-figure inheritance. A postnup can define the inheritance as separate property, avoiding potential tension and confusion down the road.

The Wealth Advisor’s Role in Nuptial Planning

Wealth advisors with Brandywine Oak Private Wealth do not focus solely on investments, but partner with you through every life decision. Many of our clients find it easier to have early, candid conversations with their wealth advisor before bringing in an attorney. We often serve as a bridge, helping to clarify priorities and surface questions that matter most to you and your family.

Our team works closely with your estate attorney or the estate planning company we have on retainer to align your prenups and postnups with your wills, trusts, and Family Wealth Plan.

Legacy Protection and Bloodline Planning

If you have adult children, prenups and postnups can be key to preserving the legacy of generational wealth. These agreements can clarify which assets remain separate and, when used in conjunction with a trust, help define how those assets are treated in marriage and beyond.

Titling assets in trust allows individuals to be highly specific about what is inherited, how it is distributed, and under what conditions. Trusts can also offer protection from creditors, both your own and those of your spouse, while preserving the integrity of your long-term wishes.

When structured properly, these tools provide clarity around ownership and inheritance. That clarity can reduce misunderstandings, avoid unintended outcomes, and help minimize family conflict over time.

Talk to a Wealth Advisor About Prenups and Postnups

Prenups and postnups are often misunderstood. Far from being divisive, they can serve as tools to clarify financial responsibilities, protect family wealth, and reduce future conflicts. When approached with care, they reflect a deep respect for the relationship and for the people who may be impacted by it.

At Brandywine Oak Private Wealth, we view these conversations as an important part of broader financial planning. We’re here not just to manage investments, but to walk with you through decisions that shape your life and legacy. As your advocate, coach, and friend, we work to bring clarity and calm to complex situations.

If you’re navigating marriage, remarriage, or simply want to plan with intention, we welcome the opportunity to support you. To schedule a meeting, call (484) 785-0050, email contact@brandywineoak.com, or get started online now. And if you are curious about what our clients have to say about working with us, visit our client testimonials page to hear their stories.

About Michael

Michael Henley is the Founder and CEO of Brandywine Oak Private Wealth, a private wealth management and registered independent advisory firm headquartered in Kennett Square, PA. Over the course of his 20-year career, Michael has been dedicated to helping wealthy individuals and families plan and manage all aspects of their finances and investments. With a passion for helping others look behind the curtain and understand the complex world of finance, he develops close relationships with clients as he helps them progress toward their financial goals. Michael loves to provide clarity and alleviate financial anxiety, help prevent families from overpaying in taxes, and give wealthy families permission to enjoy their life savings. He says, “No work is more gratifying than giving families outcomes to what matters most to them.”

Michael holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor℠, and Retirement Management Advisor® designations. Residing in Chadds Ford, PA, with his two children, he enjoys outdoor activities, particularly maintaining trails on his property, hiking with his dogs, and being an actively engaged dad, always taking his kids everywhere. Michael’s latest hobby is tennis and he recently started ice skating to join his daughter Savannah. He can also be found moving logs to the firepit with his son Maverick on the tractor. Michael serves on the board of United Way of Southern Chester County and loves mentoring younger advisors. Great mentors helped him succeed, and he’s convinced that every leader needs to both have mentors and be a mentor. To learn more about Michael, connect with him on LinkedIn.

Brandywine Oak Private Wealth is a registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to first consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein. Past performance is not indicative of future performance.