Prenup South Africa: Get Your Prenuptial Agreement Before the Wedding
Your prenup is drafted by Louwrens Koen Attorneys, explained in plain English, signed before a notary and registered at the Deeds Office. R1,950 all-inclusive.
If you do not sign a prenup, the law usually chooses for you
In South Africa, couples who marry without a valid prenup are usually married in community of property. That means your assets and debts are generally joined into one estate. A prenup lets you choose a different marital property system before the wedding.
Important timing note
A prenup must be signed before marriage. If your wedding is close, call 087 001 0733 before applying so timing can be checked.
Your Prenup Choices Before Marriage
A prenup is not only a document. It is the legal choice that decides how assets, debts and financial growth are treated during and after your marriage.
Not sure which option fits you?
Start your application and select “Not sure yet”. We will explain with accrual and without accrual before drafting.
Start and choose “Not sure yet”Quick guide
Want to avoid sharing debts? You need a prenup (with or without accrual).
Own property, a business, or investments? A prenup protects what you bring into the marriage.
Want to share only growth built together? Prenup with accrual is likely the right fit.
Want complete financial separation? Prenup without accrual keeps everything separate.
Start Your ApplicationIn community of property
If you do not sign a prenup before marriage, the default choice is usually made for you: one joint estate where assets and debts are generally shared.
- Prenup not required
- Shared estate and debts
- Should be understood consciously
With accrual
Often the balanced option: separate estates during marriage, with possible sharing of growth when the marriage ends.
- Protect premarital assets
- Share growth built together
- Commencement values matter
Without accrual
Maximum financial separation. Each spouse keeps their estate separate and there is generally no accrual sharing of growth.
- Useful for business owners
- Common in second marriages
- Must be chosen deliberately
Prenup with accrual: separate estates, shared growth
A with-accrual prenup keeps estates separate during marriage but may share growth at the end. It is often chosen by couples who want financial independence and fairness.
Example only:
R1,000,000 growth for spouse A
R400,000 growth for spouse B
Difference in growth: R600,000. Depending on the contract and law, the spouse with the smaller accrual may have a claim for part of that difference.
How your prenup is handled
From online application to Deeds Office registration, the process is handled for you. The key rule: your prenup must be signed before the wedding.
Start online
Submit basic details and wedding date.
Choose option
With accrual, without accrual or not sure yet.
Drafting
Your agreement is prepared by the legal team.
Sign before notary
The prenup is signed before marriage.
Registration
Deeds Office process is handled.
R1,950 all-inclusive. No hidden surprises.
One fixed fee covers everything: drafting, notary signing, and Deeds Office registration. No extras, no hourly billing.
Attorney drafting
Your prenup is prepared as a legal document, not a generic template.
Option guidance
With accrual, without accrual or not sure yet can be handled clearly.
Notary process
Signing before a notary is part of the proper process.
Deeds Office
Registration is included where applicable.
Nationwide support
Pretoria-based, serving couples across South Africa.
Urgent route
If the wedding is close, call before applying.
Louwrens Koen
Attorney & Notary Public
Professional portrait to be added
Your prenup should be more than a downloaded template
A prenup affects your property, debt and financial rights for the duration of your marriage. It must be properly drafted, signed before a notary and registered correctly.
- Real attorney/notary-led process.
- Legal formalities handled correctly.
- Plain-English guidance before drafting.
- Support if your wedding date is close.
Urgent prenup: call before applying
If your wedding is within the next few weeks, the timing for drafting, signing and registration must be checked first. Call the office directly so we can confirm whether there is enough time.
Prenup questions couples ask
Is a prenup the same as an antenuptial contract?
In everyday language, couples often say prenup or prenuptial agreement. In South African law, the formal document is usually called an antenuptial contract or ANC.
What happens if we do not sign a prenup?
You are usually married in community of property, meaning assets and debts are generally shared in one joint estate.
What is the difference between with accrual and without accrual?
With accrual generally keeps estates separate during marriage but shares growth at the end. Without accrual generally keeps estates and growth separate.
What if we are not sure which option to choose?
Start your application and choose “Not sure yet”. The choice can be explained before drafting.
Start your prenup before your wedding date
If you know which option you want, start the application. If you are unsure, select “not sure yet” and get the options explained before drafting.