Up to a point — a prenup can set out how future earnings and income are treated, but a court can still adjust things to meet a partner’s needs. Income is one of the trickier things to ring-fence.
What a prenup can do
A prenup can record your intention that each partner keeps their own income, or set a fair approach to bonuses, business growth or earnings during the marriage (see what to include). This gives a court a clear steer on what you both intended.
The limit
Because future income is so closely tied to meeting needs — including spousal maintenance — a court will not let an agreement leave a partner unable to support themselves (see are prenups legally binding?). So a prenup can shape how income is treated, but cannot guarantee an absolute lock on it. A fair, realistic approach is the one that holds up.
Can a prenup protect future earnings?
A prenup can shape how future earnings are treated, but it cannot put an absolute lock on income. You can record an intention that each partner keeps their own earnings, or set a fair approach to bonuses and business growth during the marriage, which gives a court a clear steer. The limit is the needs principle: because future income is closely tied to meeting needs, including spousal maintenance, a court will not let an agreement leave a partner unable to support themselves. A fair, realistic approach is the one that holds up.
Related questions
Can a prenup ring-fence my salary?
Partly — but needs can override it (see can a prenup waive maintenance?).
What about future bonuses or business growth?
A prenup can set a fair approach to these (see prenup future assets).
Create your prenuptial agreement online
UK Prenup lets couples in England & Wales create a clear, fair prenuptial agreement online from £199, with your document generated instantly as a PDF. See how it works or get started.
UK Prenup is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. A prenuptial agreement in England & Wales is not automatically binding, and both partners should take independent legal advice before signing.