Legal Definitions - antenuptial gift

Antenuptial Gift

An antenuptial gift is a gift of property given by one spouse to the other before marriage. It is also known as a prenuptial gift. The purpose of such a gift is often to preserve the property's classification as separate property in community-property states.

• John gives his fiancé, Sarah, a piece of land as an antenuptial gift before they get married.
• Emily gives her future husband, Michael, a valuable painting as an antenuptial gift to ensure that it remains her separate property in case of a divorce.

These examples illustrate how an antenuptial gift is a voluntary transfer of property from one spouse to the other before marriage. The gift is often made to preserve the property's classification as separate property in community-property states.