Definition and pronunciation
postnup /ˈpoʊstˌnʌp/ — noun (informal): a postnuptial agreement; a contract spouses sign after getting married to set rules about property, debts, support, and what happens if they separate or divorce.
Easy explanation
A postnup is a written agreement made by a married couple that explains who owns what, who owes what, and how money or property will be handled if the marriage ends or if one spouse dies.
Grammatical formation
- Part of speech: countable noun (a postnup; two postnups).
- Attributive use: postnup terms, postnup clause.
- Typical verbs: draft, negotiate, sign, execute, revise, enforce, challenge, void.
- Subjects/agents: spouses, attorneys, courts, mediators.
- Register: legal/formal in function; “postnup” is everyday shorthand for “postnuptial agreement.”
Meanings and nuances
- The legal contract itself (postnuptial agreement).
- By metonymy, the terms set out in that contract (“under the postnup…”).
- In some places, enforceability depends on full disclosure, fairness, and independent legal advice.
With prepositions and variants
- sign/execute a postnup
- enter into a postnup with [spouse]
- rights under a postnup
- challenge a postnup for [lack of disclosure/duress]
- postnup about [property/support/business ownership]
- Spelling: also “post-nup” (less common).
Common collocations
postnuptial agreement, postnup terms, sign a postnup, execute a postnup, enforce a postnup, challenge a postnup, invalidate a postnup, full financial disclosure, independent counsel, unconscionable postnup, sunset clause, infidelity clause, choice-of-law clause, mediation clause, marital assets, separate property, community property, equitable distribution, spousal support, alimony waiver, inheritance protection, business ownership, debt allocation
Idioms and neighboring expressions
prenup, postnuptial agreement, antenuptial, marital agreement, separation agreement, marital settlement agreement (MSA), cohabitation agreement, property regime
Word comparisons
- postnup vs prenup: postnup is after marriage; prenup is before marriage.
- postnup vs postnuptial (agreement): same thing; “postnup” is the informal name.
- postnup vs separation agreement: a separation agreement governs living apart or ending the marriage; a postnup can be made while spouses remain together.
- postnup vs marital settlement agreement: an MSA usually finalizes terms during/after divorce; a postnup is made while still married.
Real-life examples
- “After launching a startup, they signed a postnup to clarify ownership.”
- “Her lawyer insisted on full disclosure before executing the postnup.”
- “The judge refused to enforce the postnup, calling it unconscionable.”
Sample sentences
- “We decided to draft a postnup once we bought the house.”
- “They executed a postnup that treats the business as separate property.”
- “He tried to challenge the postnup for lack of independent counsel.”
- “The postnup includes a sunset clause after ten years.”
- “Under the postnup, student loans stay with the borrower.”
- “They revised their postnup after moving to a new state.”
- “The court found the postnup valid due to fair disclosure.”
- “Her inheritance is protected by the postnup.”
- “Mediation was required by the postnup’s dispute clause.”
- “An unfair postnup can be struck down.”
Synonyms
postnuptial agreement, postnuptial, marital agreement after marriage, postmarital agreement
Antonyms
prenuptial agreement, prenup, antenuptial agreement, premarital
Related terms
marriage, spouse, marital property, separate property, community property, equitable distribution, disclosure, duress, unconscionability, alimony, spousal support, custody, mediation, arbitration, choice of law, sunset clause, estate planning, inheritance
Connection to sexuality
Postnup is not a sexual term. It’s a legal/financial tool. Some postnups include behavior clauses (for example, related to infidelity), but the word itself doesn’t carry sexual meaning.
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