Getting Married? Here’s Why You Need an ANC(Prenup)
Marriage and Money: Why Getting Married with an ANC (Prenup) Might Be the Smartest Move You’ll Ever Make
Marriage Isn’t Just an Emotion - It’s Also a Deal, and an Antenuptial Contract Might Be the Best Wedding Gift You Give Yourself
Let’s face it - falling in love is easy. Staying in love? That takes work. But protecting what you’ve built, your career, your business, your future dreams - that takes something else entirely: smart planning.
That’s where the Antenuptial Contract (ANC)/ Prenup enters the picture.
Now before you roll your eyes and say, “But we’re different… we trust each other,” let’s hit pause. Trust isn’t the issue - structure is. An ANC doesn’t kill the romance. In fact, it might be the most loving thing you do for each other. It protects not just your assets but your peace of mind.
So, what exactly is an ANC? Should every couple get one? And why is it considered one of the smartest moves you can make before tying the knot?
Let’s unpack it - real talk, no jargon.
Getting Married? Here’s Why You Need an ANC(Prenup)
What Is an ANC, Really?
In South Africa, the moment you get married without any legal contract, you’re automatically married in community of property. This means everything you own - AND owe - is shared 50/50, whether it was yours before the wedding or not.
An Antenuptial Contract flips that script. It lets you define the financial rules of your relationship before you walk down the aisle or pay that Lobola(bride price).
With an ANC, you’re married out of community of property, which gives you two options:
- With Accrual: You each keep what was yours before the marriage, but share what you build together.
- Without Accrual: Everything you earn, build, or buy remains yours alone - even during the marriage.
Why Getting an ANC Might Be the Most Loving Thing You Do
💡 1. It Protects Your Past and Your Potential
You worked hard for your house, your side hustle, your savings. Why should those be up for grabs just because you fell in love?
An ANC ensures your individual assets stay yours, unless you decide otherwise. It also protects things like inheritances or family businesses that were never part of the relationship to begin with.
🛡️ 2. It Shields You From Debt You Didn't Create
Let’s say your partner has a business that tanks—or you find out later they have unpaid student loans or credit card debt. If you're married without an ANC, those debts become yours too. Yikes.
With an ANC, your finances are legally separated. That means creditors can’t touch what isn’t yours.
🧘 3. It Makes Divorce Less Painful (If It Ever Comes to That)
No one gets married planning to get divorced, but life can throw curveballs. An ANC isn’t about expecting the worst - it’s about avoiding disaster if things go south.
Instead of months of messy fighting, you’ve already agreed how things will be split. It’s quicker, cheaper, and far less emotionally brutal.
💬 4. It Forces the Conversations Most Couples Avoid
Money, debt, property, family responsibilities - these are big topics most couples dodge until it’s too late.
Drafting an ANC forces you to have honest conversations about your finances and expectations. And guess what? That kind of clarity can make your relationship even stronger.
🚀 5. It’s Future-Focused and Fair
Especially if you're both ambitious, career-driven people, an ANC allows you to grow together without fear. You can support each other’s dreams while keeping your financial independence.
And if you’re building something together? That’s where the accrual system comes in. You share in each other’s growth - fairly and transparently.
Boring but Important: What Goes Into an ANC?
An ANC is not a DIY project. It must be signed before the wedding and registered with the Deeds Office. Hire a qualified attorney or notary - this is one of those things you want done right the first time.
Your ANC might include:
- What assets are excluded from the marriage
- How future property or investments will be handled
- Who’s responsible for what debt
- Provisions for spousal support
- Terms around business ownership or family trusts
Remember: No amount is too small, and no asset too insignificant to include in your ANC. Antenuptial contracts aren’t just for the wealthy - they’re for anyone who values clarity and protection/peace of mind.
Mythbusting: ANC Edition
Myth 1: “If you love someone, you don’t need a prenup.”
→ Actually, love is why you should get one. You’re setting each other up for clarity, not chaos.
Myth 2: “It’s only for the wealthy.”
→ Whether you have R50,000 or R5 million, your money matters. It’s not about how much - it’s about how well you protect it.
Myth 3: “ANCs are cold and unromantic.”
→ Not being blindsided during a breakup or death? That’s peak romance, honestly.
Final Word: ANC = Adulting Like a Boss
At the end of the day, marriage is both a love story and a legal structure. And in a world where life, money, and love can get seriously complicated, an Antenuptial Contract gives your relationship structure, sanity, and staying power.
So if you’re planning to walk down the aisle, don’t just think about flowers, venues, or first dances. Think long-term. Think legacy. Think love with a plan.
Because protecting each other isn’t just about hearts and hugs - it’s also about smart decisions.