Ryan Reynolds & Scarlett Johansson: Two A-Listers, No Prenup, No Problem
They skipped the prenup — and still managed one of Hollywood's cleanest divorces
Key Facts
What Happened
Ryan Reynolds and Scarlett Johansson were married in a private ceremony in September 2008, two of Hollywood's most bankable stars joining forces at the height of their careers. The marriage lasted barely two years. By December 2010, Reynolds had filed for divorce citing irreconcilable differences, and the split was finalized in July 2011.
The most remarkable detail was the absence of a prenuptial agreement. For two actors with individual net worths in the tens of millions, this was a significant omission. Under California community property law, all earnings during the marriage — including film salaries, residuals, and endorsement deals — would be split equally. Both Reynolds and Johansson were commanding $10-15 million per film at the time, meaning the marital estate was substantial even over a short marriage.
Despite the missing prenup, the divorce was resolved quickly and without public acrimony. All earnings made during the marriage were split 50/50, neither party sought spousal support, and the settlement was reached through private negotiation rather than courtroom litigation. The couple issued a joint statement describing the split as the result of 'long and careful consideration.'
Both went on to marry again — Reynolds to Blake Lively in 2012, Johansson to Romain Dauriac in 2014 (and later to Colin Jost in 2020). The Reynolds-Johansson divorce is often cited by family law attorneys as proof that the absence of a prenup does not necessarily mean a contentious divorce, provided both parties are earning comparable incomes and acting in good faith.
Legal Breakdown: Dividing Assets Without a Prenup
Community Property Without a Prenup
In California, all income earned during marriage is community property, split 50/50 upon divorce. Without a prenup, Reynolds and Johansson had no mechanism to protect individual earnings. However, because both were high earners, the equal split was roughly fair to both sides — eliminating the usual friction.
Short Marriages and Spousal Support
California courts generally award spousal support for half the length of a marriage under 10 years. A two-year marriage would typically yield one year of support at most. When both spouses are high earners, courts often decline to award support at all, as neither party can demonstrate financial need.
No Children, Faster Resolution
The absence of children eliminated custody and child support negotiations, which are typically the most contentious and time-consuming aspects of divorce. This allowed Reynolds and Johansson to focus solely on property division, resulting in a remarkably fast resolution.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →No prenup does not automatically mean a messy divorce — but it does mean you are relying on state law to divide your assets.
- →When both spouses earn comparable incomes, the absence of a prenup matters less because the 50/50 split is already roughly equitable.
- →Short marriages with no children can be resolved quickly if both parties negotiate in good faith.
- →Even if you skip the prenup, maintaining separate accounts for pre-marital assets can simplify future property division.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.