Canadian former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and A-list celebrity Katy Perry are publicly stepping into a more serious relationship.
Although it’s far too early to say whether they will ever walk down the aisle, it’s a great time to reflect: What does it look like, when two high-net-worth individuals contemplate marriage, and want to protect their assets by way of a Pre-Nuptial Agreement (or “Pre-Nup”)?
As Canadian Family Law practitioners, our firm sees these kinds of unions more often than you’d think.
If Katy or Justin were exploring how Pre-Nups work (recognized as domestic contracts under Ontario law), we could outline some general principles to keep in mind:
- Start with full financial disclosure and valuation. Even though they might be mega-wealthy, Katy and Justin would each need to open their books completely. That means listing all assets, liabilities, business interests, trusts, and income streams. In this case, Katy’s catalogue, royalties, and brand income would need to be valued by a professional, while Justin’s pension entitlements, speaking engagements, and possible investment holdings would also need an expert appraisal. Without transparency at the outset, any domestic contract they sign will not stand up to later scrutiny by a court.
- Define what’s separate, and what’s shared. The agreement should clearly spell out which assets remain individually owned and which may become jointly shared during the marriage. For instance, Katy’s touring income or Justin’s future book proceeds could be defined as personal income, separate from marital assets and not subject to equalization. This clarity helps prevent disputes over what’s “ours” versus what’s “mine” if the relationship later ends.
- Protect personal brand and privacy. For public figures like Katy and Justin, the most valuable assets are often intangible — image, goodwill, and reputation. For them, a good domestic contract might include clauses to protect their name, likeness, and intellectual property. It might also include non-disclosure provisions restricting either party from discussing private details publicly, including on social media or in interviews.
- Address children, trusts, and long-term planning. Both Katy and Justin are parents, so any new domestic contract would need to coordinate with their existing childcare arrangements with their children’s other parents. They each are likely to have existing estate plans, so they would want to review and revise those so they are in line with their combined future objectives.
- Choose the right jurisdiction and governing law. With Katy being U.S.-based and Justin living in Canada, it’s crucial for them to decision which laws will apply to their agreement. An Ontario-governed domestic contract would need to comply with the Family Law Act and be executed with independent legal advice by both of them. If the couple intends to spend significant time in California (or elsewhere), then the agreement should address enforceability in other jurisdictions.
- Clarify support and separation procedures. Assuming Katy and Justin would want to keep their finances separate, their domestic contract might reflect that they are each waiving spousal support. It should also address how disputes are to be handled (e.g. private mediation or arbitration rather than public court proceedings, since those can invite unwanted publicity).
- Plan for review. Even though celebrity marriages tend to be famously short-lived, it would be wise for Katy and Justin to include a clause allowing for periodic review of their agreement (e.g. once every five years). This allows them to update their asset valuations and even their lifestyle arrangements. Some couples also include a “sunset clause,” allowing the contract to expire or evolve after a certain number of years of marriage.
- Coordinate with tax and international planning. Finally, since Katy and Justin’s assets, residences, and income likely span multiple countries, it’s important to get a team of professionals on-board for assistance. This includes tax advisors, estate lawyers, and financial planners. Among other things, their domestic contract should dovetail with cross-border tax structures, trust arrangements, and any investment vehicles that each of them has.
As with those of us more “common” people in Ontario, a Pre-Nup for an A-list couple like Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau is not about distrust – it’s about clarity. A well-drafted contract allows two well-established adults to enter a marriage with open eyes, mutual respect, and a clear understanding of how their individual and shared lives will be managed.
