Every March, something quietly predictable happens across America: divorce attorneys get very busy. Research from the University of Washington in 2016 found that divorce filings consistently peak in March and August , rather than immediately after the holidays. While the rest of the world is thinking about spring, family courts are processing a surge of filings from couples who spent the holidays holding on, and are finally letting go. If you're engaged or recently married, this "divorce season" isn't just a statistic. It's a reminder of what's possible, and more importantly, what's preventable.
A prenuptial agreement won't guarantee your marriage lasts forever. But it can make sure that if it doesn't, you both walk away with clarity, fairness, and far less heartbreak. And right now, with platforms like First , getting that protection has never been easier or more affordable.
What Is Divorce Season — And Why Does It Peak in March? Most people have heard of "Divorce Month" — the idea that January is when couples pull the trigger after a stressful holiday season. But the data tells a more nuanced story.
Researchers at the University of Washington analyzed 14 years of divorce filing data and found consistent peaks in March and August, with filings dipping during November and December . A feature on this research notes that filings jump after the “culturally sacred” winter holidays, when many couples delay separating to get through family events. When a marriage ends without a prenuptial agreement, the state decides how to divide everything. That means the assets you built, the debts you carried, the home you bought, the retirement you planned — all of it is subject to formulas and judges, not your own intentions.
The Allianz 2025 Annual Retirement Study found that 56% of married Americans say a divorce would derail their financial retirement strategy . Without a prenuptial agreement, you're operating under your state's default divorce laws. Depending on where you live, that could mean:
Community property states split nearly everything earned during the marriage 50/50 — regardless of who earned it. Equitable distribution states divide assets based on what a court deems “fair,” which may not align with what you consider fair. Debts brought into or accumulated during the marriage can become shared obligations, especially when commingled or incurred for marital purposes. Businesses, investments, and inheritance may be up for negotiation if they are not clearly kept separate or addressed in advance. A prenup replaces that uncertainty with your own mutually agreed-upon rules, drafted before the emotional fog of a potential split. Here's the quiet shift happening right now: as divorce filings surge every March, a growing number of engaged couples are responding not with fear, but with action. Divorce is increasingly discussed as a retirement risk rather than just a relationship outcome. And millennials, the generation that came of age during major financial crises and ballooning student debt, are taking that message to heart. Millennials are dramatically more likely than baby boomers to have a prenup, with student debt as a major driver .
A prenup isn't planning for failure. It's planning like someone who takes their financial future seriously. Modern family law practitioners note that prenups let couples replace one-size-fits-all state rules with their own negotiated terms about property, debt, and support. And for many couples, going through the prenup process together — talking about debt, savings, financial ambitions, and expectations — strengthens the relationship before the wedding even happens.
First is a fully digital prenup platform that walks couples through the entire process — educating them on their options and guiding them to work through issues with their partner, on their own timeline and from the comfort of home. It is a leading dedicated prenup platform with positive Trustpilot reviews highlighting speed, clarity, and cost savings compared with traditional legal routes. It is built specifically for modern couples who don't want to spend months going back and forth with expensive attorneys.
Signs You Should Start Today You should strongly consider getting a prenup if:
Either partner owns a home, business, or investment account Either partner has significant student debt or other liabilities You or your partner has children from a previous relationship One partner earns significantly more than the other You've received or expect to receive an inheritance You want to define financial expectations clearly before you marry Don't Wait Until Divorce Season to Protect Yourself Every spring, thousands of people wish they had made different decisions earlier. A prenuptial agreement won't prevent conflict — but it can prevent chaos. It puts your intentions in writing, protects what you've worked to build, and gives both partners a foundation of financial clarity before the marriage even begins.
First was built on the belief that creating a prenup doesn't have to be adversarial or expensive — that it can be efficient, cost-effective, and can actually bring couples closer together through the process of having honest conversations about money and the future.
This divorce season, let someone else's difficult moment be your motivation to get ahead of it.
Start your prenup with First today →
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. FIRST is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. The information presented may not reflect the most current legal developments or apply to your specific situation. Laws governing prenuptial agreements vary by state, and you should consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction before making any legal decisions.
