Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are legal contracts made between spouses to define the ownership and division of assets, debts, and financial responsibilities in the event of divorce or death. A prenuptial agreement (or "prenup") is created and signed before marriage, while a postnuptial agreement (or "postnup") is entered into after the marriage has already taken place.

These agreements can clarify how property will be divided, whether alimony will be paid, and how certain financial matters will be handled during the marriage. They are especially useful for protecting individual assets, safeguarding family inheritances, or addressing business interests. Both types of agreements must be entered into voluntarily, with full financial disclosure and usually the advice of separate legal counsel to be considered valid and enforceable in court.