A woman, 29, is engaged to a man carrying $22,000 in credit card debt from before their relationship began. Don't Miss:That means she isn't legally obligated to pay down his premarital balance regardless of what happens at the altar. What A Prenup Conversation Actually ProtectsBringing up a prenuptial agreement before marriage isn't a vote of no confidence in the relationship. It's a way to document, in writing, that premarital debt and assets stay separate, which protects both people if a joint account or joint decision later gets complicated. $22,000 pulled from savings today is $22,000 not available if a job loss or medical emergency hits in year one of the marriage.