You Own Property Before Marriage
You have a residence, investment property, savings, brokerage account, or other premarital assets and want clear rules for their future treatment.
Orange County · Los Angeles · Statewide CaliforniaCalifornia Prenup Lawyer
CALIFORNIA PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENT ATTORNEY
California Prenup Lawyer
Custom Drafting & Independent Review
Protect your financial interests before marriage with a carefully prepared prenuptial agreement. Attorney Leah Choi assists California clients with custom prenup drafting and independent legal review of prenuptial agreements prepared by the other party's attorney. We address premarital assets, debts, business interests, real estate, family financial contributions, and future property arrangements.
Consult in English or Korean. Phone and Google Meet appointments are available throughout California, with in-person consultations in Orange County and Los Angeles by appointment.
Send a Prenup Inquiry OnlineCall to Schedule a ConsultationBook a Consultation OnlineBrief Free Text InquiryFree Online Preliminary Inquiry
Custom Prenup DraftingIndependent Counsel ReviewFlat-Fee OptionsPhone & Google MeetEnglish & Korean
You do not need to be wealthy to consider a prenup. A home purchased before marriage, stock options or RSUs, a family-funded down payment, an existing business, or significant student debt may be a practical reason to establish clear financial expectations before the wedding.
FREE INITIAL INQUIRY · PRENUP ONLY
Ask About a Prenuptial Agreement Online
Tell us what kind of prenup assistance you need. This brief inquiry goes to LeahChoiLaw@gmail.com and helps us determine whether we can assist. There is no fee to send this preliminary inquiry.
Start here—no appointment needed to send your inquiry.
Our office offers custom prenup drafting and independent review of an agreement drafted by your future spouse's attorney. We do not review self-drafted or online-template prenups.
WHEN TO CONSIDER A PRENUP
When Should You Talk to a California Prenup Attorney?
A California prenuptial agreement can help couples define their expectations about property and financial responsibilities before marriage. The right provisions depend on your individual circumstances—not only the size of your estate.
Your Family Is Contributing Money
Parents or relatives are giving or lending money for a down payment, business, or major purchase, and the intended ownership and repayment terms should be documented.
One Partner Has Existing Debt
Student loans, credit cards, business obligations, or other pre-existing liabilities create questions about financial responsibility during the marriage.
You Have a Business or Equity Compensation
Business ownership, professional interests, RSUs, stock options, and other compensation arrangements may need individualized property provisions.
You Expect to Buy a Home Together
Clarify contributions, title, reimbursement expectations, and the treatment of mortgage payments and other future investments.
Your Fiancé(e)'s Lawyer Prepared a Prenup
Before signing, independent legal counsel can explain the proposed terms, identify important waivers, and request appropriate revisions.
You Have Children From a Prior Relationship
Consider how your marriage and estate planning arrangements may affect family property expectations. Estate-specific questions may require separate counsel.
Your Finances Span California and Another Country
U.S. and overseas assets, international transfers, and cross-border family contributions may require careful disclosures and specialized coordination.
POSSIBLE AGREEMENT PROVISIONS
What Can a California Prenuptial Agreement Address?
California Family Code § 1612 permits parties to address many property-related rights and obligations, subject to statutory requirements and public policy. The terms below are examples for legal review, not promises that every proposed provision will be enforceable.
Premarital savings, deposits, and investment accounts
Stocks, restricted stock units (RSUs), and options
California and overseas real estate interests
Business ownership and professional interests
Family gifts, inheritances, loans, and down payments
Student loans, credit cards, and other liabilities
Property management and financial arrangements during marriage
Treatment of specified property upon separation or divorce
Spousal support terms, subject to strict enforceability rules
Certain death-related property and insurance provisions
TRANSPARENT LEGAL FEES
California Prenup Drafting and Review Fees
Drafting a new agreement and independently reviewing an agreement prepared by the other party's lawyer are different services. We distinguish these engagements from the outset.
Custom Prenuptial Agreement Drafting
$3,000
Flat Fee
Attorney-prepared agreement customized to your financial situation and terms. The base engagement includes review of relevant disclosures, initial drafting, reasonable client revisions, basic review and response to the other attorney's redlines, and preparation for final signing.
If you have only a list of desired terms, a memo, an email, or a term sheet, your matter is new drafting—not independent review.
Independent Review of an Attorney-Drafted Prenup
$750
Flat Fee
For an agreement prepared by your future spouse's attorney. Attorney Leah Choi reviews the proposed agreement, explains material provisions and potential rights affected, and may provide a reasonable basic redline or targeted modification request within the engagement scope.
This service is for independent counsel review of an opposing attorney's draft. We do not offer review or revision of prenups drafted by clients themselves.
WHY INDEPENDENT REVIEW MATTERS
Understand the Agreement Before You Sign
A prenup may significantly change the treatment of future earnings, property, reimbursement rights, or spousal support. Independent counsel helps identify material terms, disclosure questions, and practical issues that may not be apparent from the document's title or summary.
Our independent-review practice is limited to agreements drafted by the other party's retained attorney. We do not review self-prepared prenup or postnup agreements.
Scope and final fees: All engagements are subject to conflict checking, document and matter review, and a written fee agreement. Consultation fees, outside professional fees, translation, tax advice, valuation, and other work not included in the engagement may be separate.
CONSULTATION & CONTRACT REVIEW POLICY
No Live Contract Review or Editing During Consultations
Paid consultations are for discussing legal issues and next steps—not reading contracts line by line, revising clauses, or drafting language in real time. Please do not book a consultation to request on-the-spot edits to a prenup, postnup, or other contract.
We review prenups and postnups only when the other party has retained an attorney who drafted the agreement. We do not review agreements written by either party without an attorney, including self-drafted documents or online templates.
This $750 service requires a separate formal written engagement agreement. For other types of contracts, we assess the document type and scope before confirming availability and fees.
CALIFORNIA PRENUP RULES
A Prenup Must Be More Than a Signed Document
California law includes formalities, timing requirements, and protections affecting the enforceability of premarital agreements.
Family Code § 1611 generally requires a premarital agreement to be in writing and signed by both parties.
For agreements executed on or after January 1, 2020, Family Code § 1615 generally requires at least seven calendar days between the first presentation of the final agreement and signing, regardless of counsel.
California law requires timely advice to seek independent legal counsel; the advisement must occur at least seven calendar days before the final agreement is signed. Other requirements apply when a party is unrepresented.
Inadequate financial disclosure, involuntary execution, fraud, undue influence, and other circumstances can create enforceability issues. The applicable analysis is fact-specific.
Under § 1612(c), a spousal support provision, including a waiver, has specific independent-counsel and unconscionability limitations. Representation alone does not guarantee enforcement.
Family Code § 1612(b) provides that a child's right to support may not be adversely affected by a premarital agreement.
California statutory references:Family Code § 1611, § 1612, and § 1615. These rules are summarized for general educational purposes. The facts, documents, and dates must be reviewed before advice is given about a particular agreement.
HOW THE SERVICE WORKS
From the First Consultation to the Final Agreement
Our custom-drafting workflow is designed to identify financial issues early, organize disclosures, and prepare a document tailored to your circumstances.
STEP 01
Initial Consultation and Conflict Review
Discuss your wedding timeline, financial goals, the identity of the other party, and whether the proposed matter falls within our services.
STEP 02
Financial Documents and Disclosures
Review relevant information concerning real estate, investment accounts, business holdings, debts, family loans, and other property interests.
STEP 03
Customized Prenup Draft
Prepare an English-language prenuptial agreement reflecting your lawful proposed terms and the identified financial structure.
STEP 04
Client Review and Reasonable Revisions
Go over the draft and incorporate revisions within the agreed engagement scope.
STEP 05
Opposing Counsel Review
Review proposed redlines from the other party's attorney, respond to basic changes, and identify issues requiring further agreement or additional services.
STEP 06
Finalization and Signing Review
Prepare the final documents and review applicable signing, independent-counsel, disclosure, and timing requirements. Each party remains responsible for obtaining their own advice as appropriate.
YOUR CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY
Work Directly With Attorney Leah Choi
Prenuptial agreements involve decisions that may affect how property and financial obligations are treated for years to come. We focus on identifying the material terms, documenting financial assumptions, and explaining the decisions before signing.
Attorney Leah Choi handles legal analysis and reviews agreement provisions. Administrative staff does not provide legal advice.
Examine ownership, source of funds, debt, and the possibility that property or funds may become mixed after marriage.
Schedule phone or Google Meet appointments statewide, or meet in person at an available Orange County or Los Angeles consultation location.
Attorney Leah Choi · California Attorney · J.D., University of Massachusetts School of Law – Dartmouth · B.A., Michigan State University. View attorney profile.
ORANGE COUNTY · LOS ANGELES · CALIFORNIA
Prenup Consultations in Orange County, Los Angeles & Statewide
We assist clients throughout California through scheduled phone and Google Meet consultations. In-person meetings are available by appointment at the following locations. Our main office and official mailing address are in Fullerton.
Orange County Prenup Lawyer
1440 N Harbor Blvd, Suite 900
Fullerton, CA 92835
Weekday and weekend in-person consultations by appointment. Official firm mailing address.
Irvine Prenup Consultations
9891 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92618
Weekday consultations by appointment.
Los Angeles Prenup Consultations
3435 Wilshire Blvd, 14th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010
Weekday consultations by appointment.
Burbank Prenup Consultations
3500 W Olive Ave, Suite 300
Burbank, CA 91505
Call to check in-person weekend appointment availability.
Consultation fees (up to 60 minutes): Phone $100 · Google Meet video $150 · In person $200. All consultations require advance scheduling and payment; appointment availability may vary. See booking details and available appointment options.
RELATED FAMILY LAW SERVICES
Already Married or Considering Another Agreement?
Postnuptial Agreements
Couples who are already legally married may need a postnuptial or other marital property agreement rather than a prenup. Different legal considerations apply.
Prenup Intake & Consultation
Have an attorney-drafted prenup, an upcoming wedding date, or a proposed set of financial terms? Start with a brief preliminary inquiry to confirm whether we can assist.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
California Prenuptial Agreement FAQs
Questions about pricing, timing, independent legal counsel, assets, and what to expect when preparing a prenup in California.
How much does a prenuptial agreement cost in California?
Our attorney-prepared custom prenuptial agreement service is $3,000 as a base flat fee. Independent review of a completed prenup drafted by your future spouse's attorney is $750 as a base flat fee. Services outside the agreed scope are subject to a separate arrangement.
What is included in your $3,000 prenup drafting fee?
The base service includes consultation about the proposed terms, review of relevant financial disclosures, customized drafting, reasonable client revisions, basic review and response to the other attorney's redlines, and final-document and signing preparation. The written engagement agreement defines the precise scope.
Can you review a prenup written by my fiancé(e)'s attorney?
Yes. We offer independent legal counsel review of a completed agreement prepared by the other party's retained attorney for a $750 base flat fee. Reasonable limited revision requests or basic redlines may be included. The signed engagement agreement controls the scope of the review.
Do you review prenuptial agreements I drafted myself or found online?
No. We do not accept client-drafted prenups or online-template prenups for stand-alone review or revision. If you need an agreement drafted from scratch, we offer attorney-led custom drafting at a $3,000 base flat fee.
Can a prenup protect a home owned before marriage?
A prenup may address the intended treatment of premarital real estate, title, mortgage contributions, and certain reimbursement issues, subject to applicable law. The language should be tailored to the property's ownership and the parties' financial arrangements.
Can a California prenup address future earnings, stocks, or RSUs?
Property-related provisions may address earnings and equity compensation within the limits of California law. RSUs, stock options, and similar benefits can require careful consideration of grant dates, vesting schedules, employment arrangements, and financial disclosures.
What if my parents provide our future home's down payment?
Document whether the money is a gift or loan, who receives it, and how title, contributions, and potential repayment or reimbursement should be handled. Tax and estate consequences may require separate professional advice.
What is California's seven-day prenup rule?
For agreements signed on or after January 1, 2020, California Family Code § 1615 generally requires at least seven calendar days between the date a party is first presented with the final agreement and the signing date, regardless of representation. Advice to seek independent legal counsel must also be given at least seven calendar days before signing. Exceptions and other requirements may apply; do not assume a rushed signing is sufficient.
Does each person need a separate prenup attorney?
Independent legal representation is strongly recommended, and it is particularly important for certain provisions. For example, Family Code § 1612(c) limits enforcement of spousal support provisions against a party who lacked independent counsel when the agreement was signed. One attorney should not be assumed to represent both partners.
Can a prenuptial agreement waive spousal support?
California law permits certain spousal support terms in a prenup, but Family Code § 1612(c) imposes special requirements. The provision may be unenforceable without independent counsel for the party against whom enforcement is sought, or if it is unconscionable when enforcement is sought.
Can we waive child support in a prenup?
No. California Family Code § 1612(b) prohibits a premarital agreement from adversely affecting a child's right to support.
Do we need to disclose all our finances before signing?
Financial disclosure is a major enforceability consideration. California law addresses fair, reasonable, and full disclosure, written waivers under specified circumstances, and adequate knowledge of the other party's financial situation. The facts and any waivers must be evaluated individually.
How far before the wedding should we begin drafting a prenup?
Start well before the ceremony. Financial disclosures, negotiating important terms, obtaining independent advice, and complying with California's statutory waiting requirements all take time. A specific completion date cannot be promised without reviewing the circumstances.
Can a prenup address property in Korea or another country?
The parties may address rights relating to property in different locations, but cross-border recognition, local property law, tax consequences, and enforcement may require advice from counsel qualified in the other jurisdiction.
Can I hire your firm if I live outside Orange County or Los Angeles?
Yes. California clients can request phone or Google Meet consultations and remote document handling. In-person consultation options are available by appointment in Fullerton, Irvine, LA Koreatown, and, subject to scheduling, Burbank.
What if we are already married?
A prenup is an agreement made before marriage. If you are already married, a postnuptial agreement may be more appropriate. Postnuptial agreements involve different legal duties and considerations. See related agreement services.
Can I receive a free preliminary case review before booking?
We offer a brief free preliminary inquiry to assess the type of matter and potential availability. This is not a free legal consultation or a document review. Detailed legal questions and document analysis are handled through paid consultations or formal engagement.
Prepare for Marriage With Clear Financial Terms
Whether you need a custom California prenuptial agreement or independent review of an attorney-drafted prenup, contact Law Offices of Leah Choi to discuss the next step. We serve Orange County, Los Angeles, and clients throughout California.
Law Offices of Leah Choi is a d/b/a of Luxor Law Group PC. This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. No outcome or enforceability is guaranteed. An inquiry, appointment, or payment for a consultation does not by itself establish an attorney-client relationship for ongoing representation. Services are subject to conflicts checks, case acceptance, and the written engagement agreement. Separate professional services or costs may apply.