Lululemon founder’s divorce raises prenup question for clients

The case will be decided under Canadian law. The planning problem it exposes, however, applies to any founder. For wealth managers working with entrepreneurs, marital protection belongs on the same list as the balance sheet, valuation step-ups and preparation for a fundraise or exit. The advisor is often the first professional in a position to bring it up.

Why founders should discuss a prenup before the funding round

Amy Drinkard, a partner and client advisor at Steadmont Advisors, said the conversation goes best when it happens early. She pointed to three moments: when a founder forms the company, when they raise capital and when they get engaged. She treats those as planning milestones rather than relationship milestones.

“I’d frame it the same way you’d frame a buy-sell agreement or key person insurance. It protects the business, the employees, and the partners counting on continuity. A prenup is really a decision to have the hard conversation while everyone still likes each other,” Drinkard said.

Brittany Hartnett, a principal partner and senior wealth management advisor at OpenArc, said her clients respond best when the discussion centers on shared goals rather than the risk of a breakup. Founders and their spouses often have different financial priorities, she said, and stress tends to widen those gaps.

“We view prenuptial and postnuptial agreements as tools for creating clarity before those differences become points of contention. They are not about predicting the end of a marriage. They are about setting expectations, reducing uncertainty, and helping both spouses move forward with greater confidence,” Hartnett said.