Women Begin Their Own Push Towards Prenups

As more women succeed in the workplace, they're choosing to protect their assets through prenuptial agreements now more than ever.

During the past three years, 63% of divorce attorneys cited an increase in prenuptial agreements in a recent survey from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer members.

“The trend of divorcing spouses fighting over which one has to take possession of a devalued home and other depreciated assets appears to be coming to an end,” said Alton Abramowtiz, president of AAML.

"As the financial and real estate markets continue to improve, there is a greater awareness of risk to possibly sharing these gains in divorce."

Even though men are still in the majority of "requesters," women are gaining ground. Forty-six percent noted an increase in women seeking these agreements.

Michael Stutman, Head of the Family Law Department at Mishcon de Reya New York, said women are "increasing their market share as they become more economically powerful." That gives them a greater incentive to file for these agreements.

And it's not just the ultra rich who choose to protect their assets.

"I get cold calls all the time and these people are from all walks of life. In fact, in some respects the less wealthy you are the more valuable the marginal dollars become and the more protective of them one may be," said Stutman. "It makes the divorce process less expensive and more predictable."

Although some continue to regard prenups as a rather unromantic event, the percentage of those seeking these agreements is expected to climb even higher, according to Stutman.

"People become more mature about their finances and as the discussion between the potential spouses becomes a bit more even (as both parties are probably working) it seems to be a discussion that couples are able to have."