A sky full of…regret? When life changes in an instant, there’s one little document that could provide some financial security and emotional peace of mind: a prenuptial agreement. Whatever direction married Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his HR chief Kristin Cabot intended for their relationship, their moment of romance during a Coldplay concert, narrated by frontman Chris Martin, immediately sent shockwaves throughout their company and personal networks. Social media was replete with jokes about Coldplay releasing “two new singles” and Byron at risk of “losing half his stuff.” While we don’t know if Byron and his wife have a prenup, here’s a bit of the truth behind the viral retweets:
Default to State Law: Whenever a couple marries without a prenuptial agreement, the couple is essentially authorizing the state to write a prenup for them . When they litigate their divorce proceedings, they will be subject to the state laws that govern distribution of property and possibly the discretion of the judge. Equitable Distribution: New York, where the Byrons reside, follows "equitable distribution" law. This means marital property, including salary, bonuses, real estate acquired during marriage, business interests gained or grew over the marriage, and retirement accounts, would be divided in a way the court deems fairly, though not necessarily equally, if no prenup specifies otherwise. Length of Marriage and Children: Andy and Megan Byron reportedly share two children and have been married for several years. Courts prioritize child support, educational expenses, and possibly spousal maintenance (alimony), especially if there is a significant earning disparity, which, given Andy Byron’s net worth of $50M … there might be. Equity Income Considerations: It’s not just cash-based salary that is factored into marital property, but also promises of future earnings that were received during the marriage, known as equity compensation. As CEO of Astronomer, Byron’s equity or stock options, and potentially appreciation of these holdings, would also be subject to division upon divorce. Prevent Heat-of-the-Moment Reactions: Think about it: how might you act if your husband’s philandering became a viral meme, likely to haunt you in pop culture for years to come? Or if divorce lawyers were knocking on your door, wanting a cut of your piece of the pie? Prenups allow a couple to rationally plan for how they wish to handle unintended situations, before emotions or third parties may impact their reactions or decisions. The solution is simple. Get a prenuptial agreement, with help from First . First is a digital platform designed to make drafting a prenuptial agreement quick, affordable, and accessible for modern couples. Unlike traditional methods that require hours with expensive lawyers, First guides users through an intuitive online process , connecting them with family law attorneys , and helping ensure their prenup is tailored, legally sound, and easy to complete, all from the comfort of your home. With transparent, flat-free pricing and an easy online flow, First helps couples build a sound basis for a secure relationship.
No matter how bright your relationship shines, unexpected things happen. With First , talking openly about the future isn’t a sign you’re expecting “Trouble,” but proof you’re smart, modern, and truly care about protecting one another. Before you walk down the aisle, let First be the “Clocks” that help you set the right time for every conversation. Because after all, life goes on, gets so heavy—and the best way to weather any storm is with a plan.
