Contracts of Love & Money That Make or Break Relationships | James Sexton

Andrew Huberman

May 5, 2025

Episode description

My guest is James Sexton, Esq., a renowned attorney specializing in contracts related to love and money—prenuptial agreements, divorce and custody. We explore the counterintuitive fact that people with prenuptial agreements tend to stay married longer and report more satisfying relationships than those who don’t. We discuss how legal contracts can foster deeper understanding by encouraging vulnerability and honest communication about each partner’s values and expectations.

We also examine what defines true, lasting love versus generic romantic ideals—and how social media can distort our understanding of what we truly need. Additionally, we review how cultural traditions, gender dynamics, courtship length, and age at the time of marriage shape marital outcomes.

This episode offers practical tools for anyone—single or partnered—to build more successful and stable relationships through deeply honest dialogue and contracts that reflect genuine values around love and money.

Read the episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/uElXh1O

*Thank you to our sponsors*
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Wealthfront**: https://wealthfront.com/huberman
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman
Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman

_**This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27,‬ 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable‭ APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer._

*James Sexton*
Website: https://www.nycdivorces.com
How to Stay in Love (book): https://amzlink.to/az05AIHWmd3Ak
If You’re In My Office, It’s Already Too Late (book): https://amzlink.to/az0VDJ8FnkSZ9
Trusted Prenup: https://trustedprenup.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rocklanddivorce
X: https://x.com/nycdivorcelaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nycdivorce
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJSextonDivorce
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-j-sexton-805109b7

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 James Sexton
00:02:19 Divorce & Breakups, Men vs Women, Perception; Infidelity
00:12:04 Sponsors: Wealthfront & BetterHelp
00:14:41 Contracts, Business, Marriage Celebration, Prenups
00:26:24 Nesting; Prenups, Creating Rulesets
00:33:56 Prenups & Strengthening Marriage
00:38:19 Marriage Traditions; Divorce Rates, Religion
00:44:44 First vs Second Marriages, Love & Impermanence
00:50:09 Sponsors: AG1 & Our Place
00:53:53 Contracts, Relationships & Hard Conversations
01:02:37 Marriage & Underlying Problems, Love, Successful Marriages
01:16:27 Ideals, Social Media & Advertising, Simplicity, Dogs
01:27:33 Sponsor: Function
01:29:26 Intimacy, Tool: Early Framework for Hard Discussions
01:37:06 Prenup Consultation, Legal Defaults, Reasons for Marriage
01:47:37 Alimony, Prenups & Creating Rulesets, Yours, Mine & Ours, Adultery, Pets
02:02:30 Fond Memories & Ending Relationship, Pain, Divorce
02:12:49 Social Media, Movies & Ideals, Pornography vs Real Sexual Relationships
02:22:43 Revealing Flaws, Bravery, Prenups & Expectations, Money
02:37:49 Bravery, Vulnerability, Relationship Changes, Men vs Women, Marriage
02:47:11 Relationship Sacrifices, Men & Women; Prenups, Government
02:54:45 Life Milestones, Early vs Late Marriage, Navigating Challenges
03:01:38 Courtship Period & Marital Outcomes
03:10:12 Knowing Self & Partner, Vulnerability
03:16:58 "Postnup", Rekindling or Ending Relationships, Tool: Leave a Note
03:26:41 Heartbreak & Love, Divorce; Acknowledgements
03:34:45 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Episode description

My guest is James Sexton, Esq., a renowned attorney specializing in contracts related to love and money—prenuptial agreements, divorce and custody. We explore the counterintuitive fact that people with prenuptial agreements tend to stay married longer and report more satisfying relationships than those who don’t. We discuss how legal contracts can foster deeper understanding by encouraging vulnerability and honest communication about each partner’s values and expectations.

We also examine what defines true, lasting love versus generic romantic ideals—and how social media can distort our understanding of what we truly need. Additionally, we review how cultural traditions, gender dynamics, courtship length, and age at the time of marriage shape marital outcomes.

This episode offers practical tools for anyone—single or partnered—to build more successful and stable relationships through deeply honest dialogue and contracts that reflect genuine values around love and money.

Read the episode show notes: https://go.hubermanlab.com/uElXh1O

*Thank you to our sponsors*
AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman
Wealthfront**: https://wealthfront.com/huberman
BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com/huberman
Our Place: https://fromourplace.com/huberman
Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman

_**This experience may not be representative of the experience of other clients of Wealthfront, and there is no guarantee that all clients will have similar experiences. Cash Account is offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) on cash deposits as of December 27,‬ 2024, is representative, subject to change, and requires no minimum. Funds in the Cash Account are swept to partner banks where they earn the variable‭ APY. Promo terms and FDIC coverage conditions apply. Same-day withdrawal or instant payment transfers may be limited by destination institutions, daily transaction caps, and by participating entities such as Wells Fargo, the RTP® Network, and FedNow® Service. New Cash Account deposits are subject to a 2-4 day holding period before becoming available for transfer._

*James Sexton*
Website: https://www.nycdivorces.com
How to Stay in Love (book): https://amzlink.to/az05AIHWmd3Ak
If You’re In My Office, It’s Already Too Late (book): https://amzlink.to/az0VDJ8FnkSZ9
Trusted Prenup: https://trustedprenup.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rocklanddivorce
X: https://x.com/nycdivorcelaw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nycdivorcelawyer
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nycdivorce
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesJSextonDivorce
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-j-sexton-805109b7

*Timestamps*
00:00:00 James Sexton
00:02:19 Divorce & Breakups, Men vs Women, Perception; Infidelity
00:12:04 Sponsors: Wealthfront & BetterHelp
00:14:41 Contracts, Business, Marriage Celebration, Prenups
00:26:24 Nesting; Prenups, Creating Rulesets
00:33:56 Prenups & Strengthening Marriage
00:38:19 Marriage Traditions; Divorce Rates, Religion
00:44:44 First vs Second Marriages, Love & Impermanence
00:50:09 Sponsors: AG1 & Our Place
00:53:53 Contracts, Relationships & Hard Conversations
01:02:37 Marriage & Underlying Problems, Love, Successful Marriages
01:16:27 Ideals, Social Media & Advertising, Simplicity, Dogs
01:27:33 Sponsor: Function
01:29:26 Intimacy, Tool: Early Framework for Hard Discussions
01:37:06 Prenup Consultation, Legal Defaults, Reasons for Marriage
01:47:37 Alimony, Prenups & Creating Rulesets, Yours, Mine & Ours, Adultery, Pets
02:02:30 Fond Memories & Ending Relationship, Pain, Divorce
02:12:49 Social Media, Movies & Ideals, Pornography vs Real Sexual Relationships
02:22:43 Revealing Flaws, Bravery, Prenups & Expectations, Money
02:37:49 Bravery, Vulnerability, Relationship Changes, Men vs Women, Marriage
02:47:11 Relationship Sacrifices, Men & Women; Prenups, Government
02:54:45 Life Milestones, Early vs Late Marriage, Navigating Challenges
03:01:38 Courtship Period & Marital Outcomes
03:10:12 Knowing Self & Partner, Vulnerability
03:16:58 "Postnup", Rekindling or Ending Relationships, Tool: Leave a Note
03:26:41 Heartbreak & Love, Divorce; Acknowledgements
03:34:45 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter

Disclaimer & Disclosures: https://www.hubermanlab.com/disclaimer

Mindsip insights from this episode:

Recognize human drive for partnership in remarriage trends

Despite a high divorce rate, 85% of people who get divorced remarry within five years, highlighting a powerful human drive for partnership.

Recognize your existing prenup and create your own

Every married couple has a prenuptial agreement; it's either the one written by state politicians or one you and your partner create for yourselves.

Strengthen relationships with prenuptial agreements

In his 25 years of experience, the speaker has seen only about five couples get divorced after he drafted their prenuptial agreement, suggesting the process strengthens the relationship.

Plan for marriage to mitigate risks of failure

Legally, entering a marriage, which has a 56% failure rate, without a plan for potential failure could be defined as a conscious disregard for a substantial risk of harm.

Engage in prenup discussions to strengthen relationship intimacy

The process of creating a prenup can be a deeply intimate conversation about what you value in each other and what you owe each other, strengthening the relationship.

Reframe prenuptial agreements as connection tools with TrustedPrenup.com

A new service called TrustedPrenup.com aims to make prenuptial agreements accessible for around $600, reframing them as a tool for connection rather than conflict.

Define intimacy as authentic self-expression with others

Intimacy is not about sex, but is defined as the ability to be completely and authentically yourself with another person.

Implement nesting strategy to minimize disruption for children during divorce

A divorce strategy called "nesting" involves the children staying in the family home while the parents rotate in and out, minimizing disruption for the kids.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius

Unlock the wisdom of longevity

© Mindsip 2025 – Made with ❤ in Vilnius