Stéphanie FournierSelena Gomez officially became Mrs. Blanco on September 27, 2025, and this April she is still sparking headlines — sharing intimate newlywed photos on Instagram signed "Mrs. Blanco" for the first time. The celebrity couple's marriage, which has been trending across Canada, is reopening a conversation that family lawyers across the country want Canadians to have before they say "I do."
The conversation is about prenuptial agreements.
What Actually Happened with Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco
The couple married in late September 2025 in an intimate ceremony officiated by comedian Lil Dicky, with guests including Taylor Swift and Selena's Only Murders in the Building co-stars Steve Martin and Martin Short. Benny Blanco later revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that Selena had lost her wedding vows just five days before the ceremony — and that he stepped in to help rewrite them.
It was the kind of romantic chaos that makes celebrity weddings charming. What is less charming, for many couples entering marriage with significant assets, is discovering afterward that there is no legal framework in place to protect what each person brought into the relationship.
Whether or not Gomez and Blanco signed a prenuptial agreement is not public knowledge. But their high-profile union — uniting a global music icon with an estimated net worth in excess of $800 million, and a successful record producer — is prompting Canadians to ask: should we be thinking about this too?
Prenuptial Agreements in Canada: The Legal Reality
In Canada, prenuptial agreements — formally called marriage contracts or domestic contracts — are legally recognized in all provinces and territories, though the specific rules differ significantly by province. According to Statistics Canada, the average age at marriage has risen steadily, with Canadians now marrying later and bringing more individual assets to the table.
That shift matters legally. When both partners enter a marriage with established careers, savings, real estate, or business interests, the question of what happens to those assets if the marriage ends becomes more complex.
For a prenuptial agreement to be enforceable in Canada, family lawyers consistently cite four core requirements:
- Independent legal advice: Both parties must consult their own separate family lawyers — not the same lawyer
- Full financial disclosure: Both partners must fully disclose all assets, debts, and income
- Written and signed: The agreement must be in writing, signed by both parties, and witnessed
- No duress: Neither party can be pressured into signing — last-minute signing the night before a wedding can invalidate an agreement
The cost of a prenuptial agreement in Canada typically ranges from $400 to $2,000 depending on complexity, according to legal resource guides. That is a fraction of what dissolution proceedings can cost when assets are disputed.
Why More Millennials and Gen Z Couples Are Choosing Prenups
Family lawyers across Canada report a measurable increase in inquiries from younger couples, particularly those aged 30 to 45. According to Global News, the trend is driven by several factors that align closely with how people in this age group live:
- Later marriages: People entering their first marriage in their mid-30s often have a decade's worth of savings, pension contributions, and property to protect
- Second marriages: Blended families want to preserve assets for children from previous relationships
- Business ownership: Small business owners and entrepreneurs need protection for the value of their companies
- Student debt: Some couples want to clarify that each partner is responsible for their own pre-marital debt
For Selena Gomez, the numbers are staggering. For a couple in Toronto who each owns a condo and has an RRSP, the principle is the same — just at a different scale.
What a Marriage Contract Can and Cannot Cover
A Canadian marriage contract can address:
- Division of property owned before or during the marriage
- Treatment of gifts and inheritances
- Spousal support terms (with some limitations)
- Business asset protection
A Canadian marriage contract cannot override:
- The right of either spouse to seek a division of the matrimonial home under provincial law (in Ontario, for example, special rules apply to the family home regardless of a prenup)
- Child support obligations — these are determined by the Divorce Act and cannot be contracted away in advance
- Any clause that violates public policy or was signed under duress
This is why independent legal advice is not a courtesy — it is a legal safeguard that makes the agreement more likely to hold up in court.
When to Start the Conversation
The worst time to bring up a prenuptial agreement is the week before the wedding. The conversation should ideally begin several months before the marriage date, giving both partners time to reflect, negotiate without pressure, consult separate lawyers, and finalize terms without feeling coerced.
Many family lawyers recommend framing the conversation not as distrust, but as financial planning — similar to writing a will or buying insurance. A prenuptial agreement is a legal document for a possibility you hope never occurs.
If you are currently engaged, recently married without a prenup, or re-entering a relationship with significant assets, speaking to a family lawyer is the best first step. A qualified lawyer can explain your provincial rules, help you understand what a marriage contract can accomplish in your specific situation, and ensure any agreement you sign is valid and enforceable.
ExpertZoom connects Canadians with licensed family lawyers across all provinces, available for consultations ranging from prenuptial planning to separation advice.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed family lawyer in your province for guidance specific to your situation.
