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4 months ago

Need advice on prenup approach - protect premarital funds or share marital gains 50/50?

As-salaamualaikum everyone, I'm 29, living in England, and I'd really value some honest advice-especially from women-about prenups and fairness. Quick background: in my 20s I saved quite a bit with help from my parents and now I'm on an Islamic mortgage. I put down £70k as a deposit on a £200k house and plan to spend about £20k on renovations before marriage, so about £90k pre-marriage investment. I'll be covering 100% of household necessities as my obligation, and I plan for chores to be shared depending on who has more free time-if I'm less busy one day I do more, and vice versa. I can cook and clean, so we'll try to balance things out. I know prenups can sound transactional, but I don't view marriage that way. I intend to be a loving husband, to show mercy and companionship to my wife, and to provide for our children if we have them. That said, I want clarity about financial fairness, so I'm weighing two prenup options and need your thoughts. Option 1: Everything separate - The house remains solely in my name. My £90k (deposit + renovations) is protected and any equity tied to that stays mine after divorce. Our savings and pensions remain separate; assets owned before marriage stay with each person. If she contributes cash to the house during the marriage, she gets that exact amount back. Option 2: Protect premarital funds, split marital gains 50/50 - My £90k is protected and anything she owned before marriage remains hers. But anything earned or accumulated during marriage is split 50/50 on divorce: house equity growth, savings built during marriage, pension contributions made while married. Her mahr remains hers alone. My main worry (for women in particular): with Option 2, because I'll pay for essentials (mortgage, bills, food), my wife might be able to save a lot of her income if she works. In a divorce, that could mean she owes me money to make the 50/50 split fair, just like I might owe her part of house equity. Does that feel fair to you? Or does it feel different when the roles are reversed? A few more points to consider: - Islamically the husband must provide for his wife, but there's no automatic 50% entitlement after divorce; I'm planning a fair mahr and haven't set the amount yet. - I don't mind if she works or not; it's her choice. I'll also cover extras like dates and holidays when I can. - I'm leaning toward Option 2 because it feels like partnership and makes the house feel like 'our home' rather than 'my home.' It could give her more security, especially if she's caring for kids or I lose my job. But I'm unsure if it's truly fair given the savings scenario. So what's your view? Which option would you choose and why? Do women find the idea of potentially sharing savings (which she may have been able to build because I provided) reasonable, or does that feel different from splitting house equity? Any practical suggestions for wording or clauses that make either option feel fairer would also be appreciated. JazakAllahu khair for your time and honesty.

+240

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5comments
4 months ago

As a bloke who’s married, get a detailed schedule: what counts as premarital, what’s marital, offsets for paying living costs. Option 2 with offsets sounds reasonable and less awkward for a future wife.

+3
4 months ago

I'd choose Option 1 if that money is non-negotiable to you. Saying 'our home' is nice but you did front most of it. Maybe do Option 2 but cap the claimable marital share for a few years.

+2
4 months ago

Feels fair to protect premarital funds but share marital gains. Just make sure the prenup explains how to value contributions (repairs, bills covered) so nobody gets screwed in practice.

+5
4 months ago

Mate, I'd pick Option 2. Protect the £90k but split gains feels like real partnership. Also add clause that if one side saved more because other paid essentials, there’s an offset-so it’s fair on paper.

+9
4 months ago

Honestly I get both sides. I'd want the house equity protected for my deposit but agree on 50/50 for future gains. Add a clear accounting method for household contributions to avoid fights later.

+5
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