San Jose man has $12 million to his name while his fiancee has only $50,000 — he wants a prenup, but she has concerns. How The Ramsey Show hosts suggest he navigates this 'emotional' process

That point, Warshaw noted, is something she'd ponder if entering into such a marriage

“How can we protect what you’ve already created, but how can I be a player in how that grows from here on out [and] be a part of that?” she wondered aloud.

Cruze offered a way to frame the situation: “We are living our lives together as one, but if something ever happened in a divorce, this part still goes back to me.”

Derek agreed, acknowledging that the only time the wealth would not also be hers is if they legally go through a divorce, and confirmed it's how they want to go into the marriage.

When a prenup makes sense — and how it can evolve

Prenuptial agreements are often recommended when there’s a major financial imbalance, one partner has substantial debt or either person owns a business or expects to receive a large inheritance. Prenups are a way of protecting one’s assets in the event a marriage ends — if you get a divorce without one, they may be at the mercy of state laws.

In Derek’s case, Warshaw floated the idea of a “progressive” agreement — one with clauses that loosen restrictions over time.

While Derek’s current agreement doesn’t include a sunset clause, that kind of flexibility can be introduced later through a postnuptial agreement, which allows couples to revise terms after marriage. Some prenups even allow for amendments or revocations, as long as both parties agree in writing.

Prenups have become more common. A 2023 survey commissioned by Axios found that 1-in-5 married U.S. couples had signed a prenup, while half of adult respondents stated they at least somewhat supported the use of prenups.