It’s a love story, baby, just say ‘Yes’… to a Pre - Nup

When the world’s biggest pop star gets engaged, the internet inevitably explodes with opinions. Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce’s recent engagement has sparked a frenzy of headlines—not just about dresses, venues, or guest lists, but about something often viewed, particularly in the media, as far less romantic: the pre nup.

Taylor Swift is estimated to be worth over a billion dollars. Travis Kelce, while successful in his own right, has a net worth in the tens of millions. That gap is massive – in the eyes of lawyers and no doubt their own financial experts – so where both are independently wealthy it makes a prenuptial agreement less of a choice and more of a necessity.

A Pre-Nup is in its most basic terms is an insurance policy and provides both parties with clarity and certainty.  It can define what each person brings into the marriage, how they share what’s built together over the course of the relationship, and could even go include how their public brands and private lives are protected should anything go wrong. It’s really not about predicting divorce, and more about providing peace of mind that they are protected from unnecessary (and potentially expensive) conflict.

In the United States, Pre-Nups are often discussed in the media as if they undermine trust. In Scotland, however, the position is more straightforward. We take a somewhat different view and prenuptial agreements are recognised as legally binding contracts, provided they meet fairness and disclosure requirements. Far from being unromantic, they are increasingly viewed as a practical way of providing clarity and security for both partners. Contrary to popular belief, they not just for billionaires, but are a sensible, accepted part of family law in Scotland and in fact, Taylor and Travis’s situation offers a perfect opportunity to explain why.

Taylor Swift’s estimated fortune reportedly tops $1.5 billion, while Travis Kelce’s wealth—impressive enough but comparatively lower— apparently sits closer to $90 million.

For Taylor and Travis, a prenup could:

• Protect their premarital assets, including her music catalogue and property portfolio.
• Define how future income (tours, endorsements, or podcasting ventures) is treated.
• Safeguard their brands with confidentiality clauses.
• Deal with ongoing financial support in the event of separation

While the majority of us don’t have billion-dollar song catalogues or Super Bowl contracts, the same principles still apply. Pre-nups in Scotland can protect:

• Family businesses,
• Inheritances
• Property from a previous marriage.
• Children from earlier relationships.

For high-profile relationships like Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s, it’s clear that such agreements can safeguard extraordinary wealth and reputation but for everyone else, they offer a clear and sensible way to manage expectations, preserve family assets, and reduce the risk of conflict. Even the most romantic partnerships can benefit from a touch of practicality.

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The information and opinions contained in this blog are for information only.  They are not intended to constitute advice and should not be relied upon or considered as a replacement for advice.  Before acting on any information contained in this blog, please seek solicitor’s advice from Gilson Gray.