First® vs a Traditional Lawyer
Deciding whether you need to hire a lawyer for your prenup? First includes an independent, experienced attorney for each partner at a flat, published price, without the calling around.
Here is how First compares to the traditional lawyer route.
Key considerations
- You do not have to go find two lawyers with availability. On Lawyer Review and Bespoke, First gives each partner their own vetted, independent family law attorney as part of the flat price.
- Hiring two attorneys directly typically runs $3,000 to $10,000 or more per couple, billed hourly across two firms, so the final number is hard to predict. First is $3,500 flat.
- First is built to get you and your partner aligned. The guided questions exist to open the conversations that matter, and you work through them together on the First platform.
- The largest bill in a traditional prenup comes from attorneys negotiating terms the couple had not settled between themselves yet.
- Hiring your own attorneys directly may suit you better if it matters to you to sit down in the same room as your lawyer. First runs remotely, including the Bespoke package for complex situations.
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Why do couples choose First® over a traditional lawyer?
Couples don't need to choose between doing it alone and finding their own lawyers. First gives you an independent, experienced attorney for each partner, and a prenup drafted for your situation and your state's laws at one flat price. No calling around, no hourly bills, and no doing it all twice.
Couples rate First as the #1 online prenup service. See why First is an alternative to traditional lawyers below.
Two independent attorneys, without the hunt
A prenup holds up best when each partner has their own independent attorney, and hiring traditionally means finding, vetting, and retaining two of them. First's Lawyer Review and Bespoke packages include an independent, experienced attorney for each partner from a vetted network and reserved availability, so you shortcut the search. See how First's Lawyer Review works.
One flat price, no hourly billing
Traditional prenups run anywhere from $3,000 to $10,000 or more per couple, often billed by the hour across two firms, so the final number is hard to predict. First's Lawyer Review is $3,500 flat with both attorneys included, and Self-Serve is $649. Online notarization is included free.1 You see the price before you start.
Done in days to weeks
Hiring attorneys means scheduling consultations, waiting on drafts, and coordinating between two offices, which usually takes weeks to months. Most couples finish a First prenup much faster.
Align before the legal work
The largest bill in a traditional prenup comes from attorneys negotiating terms the couple had not settled yet. First's guided process and alignment module help you and your partner agree first, so attorney time goes to the agreement, not the argument.
Everything in one place
A traditional prenup is spread across calls, emails, office visits, and mailed drafts. With First, the questionnaire, drafting, attorney review, e-signature, and online notarization all happen in one place, so you always know where you are and what's next.
The highest-rated online prenup
First is the #1 customer-rated prenup service, 5.0 on Google and 4.9 on Trustpilot,2 with every agreement drafted for your situation and your state's law. Not a fixed template.
1Notarization available in all states where remote online notarization is legally accepted. First cannot provide online notarization in states that do not accept remote online notarization, or where the state requires an in-person notary process (like Louisiana). 2Based on Google store and Trustpilot ratings as of August 21, 2026, captured from Google store pages and trustpilot.com, comparing First® with other online prenup platforms, including HelloPrenup. Ratings are set and aggregated by each platform from third-party sources and update over time; current figures may differ.
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First® Customer Reviews
Couples rate First as the #1 prenup service online.
Google Reviews
5.0/5
Rating across 69 verified reviews.
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Trustpilot
4.9/5
Rating across 99 verified reviews.
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My first (and last) prenup was a breeze with First. The platform itself was virtually flawless and we were impressed with our lawyers. My lawyer, Lars, was a superstar!
Sarah & Will
Verified customer
The process of generating our prenup [with First] was extremely simple. The lawyers answered all our questions and helped us ensure we had an agreement that worked for both of us.
Maite & Ryan
Verified customer
The self-service option allowed us to go through an expedited prenup process and have the meaningful discussions we wanted to about our marriage, just in time for the wedding itself. The process was easy (as easy as legalese can be!), quick, and affordable.
Rachel & Jacob
Verified customer
Google store ratings as of August 21, 2026, captured from Google store pages, and Trustpilot ratings from trustpilot.com. Ratings are aggregated from third-party sources and update over time; current figures may differ. Testimonials are provided by real First customers who purchased and completed a prenuptial agreement with First. Customers gave written permission to use their names, photos, and statements. Customers were not compensated for reviews. Individual experiences vary and depend on a couple's individual circumstances and applicable state law.
First® vs a traditional lawyer at a glance
The differences that decide it for most couples, side by side.
| First® | Traditional lawyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Independent attorney for each partner |  Included on Lawyer Review and Bespoke | If you retain two |
| Pricing | $3,500 flat, or $649 self-serve | $3,000 to $10,000+, billed hourly |
| Price known up front | Always |  Depends on hours billed |
| Online notarization | Included where state law permits | Arranged separately |
| Typical timeline | Days to weeks | Weeks to months |
First pricing from First's published pricing page. Traditional attorney ranges are national estimates and vary by state, firm, and complexity.
Do You Need a Lawyer for a Prenup? Cost, Review, and Timing FAQ
Do you need a lawyer for a prenup?
It depends on your state. Most states do not require either partner to hire a lawyer for a prenup to be valid, though courts often weigh whether each partner had independent legal counsel when deciding whether to enforce it. Some states have specific rules; in California, for example, you generally need independent counsel to waive spousal support. First's Lawyer Review and Bespoke packages include an independent attorney for each partner, and Self-Serve is a guided option for couples who do not need full representation. See our full state-by-state guide for details where you live.
How much does a prenup cost with a lawyer?
A prenup drafted through traditional attorneys generally runs from about $3,000 to $10,000 or more per couple, and lawyers often bill by the hour, which makes the final cost hard to predict. Because each partner needs their own attorney, that expense applies twice. First's Lawyer Review is $3,500 flat and includes an independent attorney for each partner, with online notarization. Self-Serve is $649. All First packages include notarization.
Can you get a prenup without a lawyer?
In most states, yes. A prenup generally must be in writing, signed voluntarily before marriage, and supported by full financial disclosure, with many states not requiring an attorney. First's Self-Serve package at $649 is a guided way to create a state-specific prenup without full attorney representation. If you want attorney involvement, the Lawyer Review and Bespoke packages add an independent attorney for each partner.
Do both partners need their own lawyer?
If you use attorneys, each partner needs their own. One lawyer cannot represent both people in the same prenup because their interests can differ, and courts scrutinize agreements where a couple shared counsel. That is why the traditional route means finding and paying for two separate attorneys. First's Lawyer Review and Bespoke packages include an independent attorney for each partner in one flat fee.
Is an online prenup as good as one from a lawyer?
It can be, and depends on which option you choose and how it's executed. A prenup's enforceability is not determined by whether a traditional lawyer drafted it or not. A prenup works when it meets your state's requirements: in writing, entered voluntarily, backed by full financial disclosure, and free of unconscionable terms.
First's Lawyer Review and Bespoke packages include an independent attorney for each partner, so you get attorney involvement without hiring two firms yourself, and every agreement is drafted for your situation and your state's law rather than filled in from a fixed template. Self-Serve is a guided do-it-yourself option for couples who do not need full representation. Both are better options than a DIY template while costing thousands less than two traditional lawyers.
How long does it take to get a prenup with a lawyer?
The traditional route usually takes several weeks to a few months, since it involves finding lawyers and scheduling consultations, waiting on drafts, and coordinating between two attorneys throughout the process. Most couples complete a First prenup in days, depending on how quickly both partners finish the guided questionnaire and review the agreement.
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