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Prenuptial Agreements UK: Should I Sign One Before Marriage?

Explore the legal status of prenuptial agreements in the UK by reading this guide by our family lawyer, Georgina Hitchens. Are prenups just for wealthy people or are they a vital 'insurance policy'?

Table Of Contents

    5 Things You Should Know About UK Prenups

    • What is a prenuptial agreement? In the UK, A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is a legal contract that stipulates how a couple’s financial affairs are to be settled if the marriage terminates. Contrary to popular belief, prenups are not just for wealthy people.
    • Are prenups legally binding in the UK? Prenuptial agreements are not formally legally binding in England and Wales. They are, however, in Scotland and many other European countries.
    • How long before a wedding should a prenup be signed? It must be in place at least 28 days before you get married. You can enter into a postnuptial agreement once you are married if you cannot agree to a prenup before marriage.
    • Can I draft the prenup myself without a solicitor? For a prenup to be legally enforceable in the UK the agreement needs to be drafted by legal professionals. Also, both parties must have had legal advice on the contents of the agreement and the effects of the agreement in the event of a divorce.
    • Does a prenup stand up in court? Courts are likely to uphold your prenup providing that it complies with the UK divorce law. We have more information on how to ensure the agreement is enforceable below.

    What is a prenuptial agreement?

    A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is a legal contract between two individuals before they marry, detailing how assets and finances will be managed and divided in the event of a divorce or death.

    Prenups are usually designed to protect the interests of both partners, and they often address a variety of issues such as the division of property, assets, and debts.

    Consider a prenuptial agreement as an insurance policy should the relationship break down. You have a framework to divide your finances and avoid a lengthy court battle.

    Are UK prenups legally binding?

    Prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in the UK, however, since the 2010 case of Granatino-v-Radmacher, courts in the UK are more likely to uphold them if challenged in court.

    In 2014, the Law Commission recommended the introduction of “qualifying nuptial agreements” in the UK. These would be enforceable contracts, allowing couples to make binding arrangements for the financial aspects of their marriage.

    To make a water-tight prenup that will be upheld in court in the UK, it should be:

    • Fair and made with the full disclosure of assets by both parties.
    • Entered into voluntarily, without coercion or duress.
    • Signed at least 28 days before the wedding.
    • Reviewed and understood by both parties, ideally with independent legal advice for each party.

    While these steps can strengthen a prenup, it’s important to note that the courts in the UK still have the final say on whether they will uphold the agreement, taking into account the circumstances at the time of the divorce.

    When is signing a prenup a good idea?

    Many people believe that prenuptial agreements are only for wealthy people. This is, however, not true. People of all situations can benefit from getting a prenup.

    People who have built up personal wealth, own a property or established a business before marriage can benefit from signing a prenup.

    Prenups are often used to protect an inheritance or potential future inheritance. Other notable reasons to consider signing a prenup include:

    • Partner’s Debt: If one partner has substantial debt before marriage, a prenup can protect the other partner from being responsible for this debt in the event of a divorce.
    • Pre-Marriage Assets: A prenup can specify which assets were acquired before the marriage and how they will be treated upon divorce. This is particularly important for protecting inheritance, investments, or any significant assets owned before entering the marriage
    • Children: You want to ensure that your children from another relationship get an inheritance from you.
    • Business Ownership: If one partner owns a business before marriage, a prenup can ensure the business is considered separate property and not subject to division upon divorce. This can prevent the business from being disrupted or having to be sold to satisfy a financial settlement.

    How much does a prenup cost?

    Costs for preparing a prenup can range from £1,000 to £5,000 plus VAT when instructing local family law solicitors.

    Some firms such as Divorce-Online offer fixed fee packages starting from £849 including VAT.

    The total cost of preparing a prenup will depend on the complexity of the agreement and the legal professionals involved.

    What can you include in a Prenup?

    A prenuptial agreement should cover financial matters only, and can include the following:

    • Debts – This can include credit card debt, student loans, and other types of debt that either spouse may have. The prenup should outline who will be responsible for paying off these debts after separation.
    • Property – Property clauses are very common in Prenups. Whether that is establishing what is to happen to the marital home or if one spouse wishes to keep a property they own separately.
    • Maintenance – Addressing spousal and children support including whether or not it will be settled and the amount of aid given is worth including in a prenup.
    • Pensions – What is to happen to any pension pots? Define within your agreement what happens to held pension pots upon separation.
    • Inheritance – If you or your spouse are due to inherit money, a clause can be inserted to ensure this stays with the desired party. Inheritance can also be left to children.
    • Personal Property – Art, jewelry, etc. Personal property or belongings can be kept with the owner and not shared with their husband or wife.
    • Bank accounts – Prenuptial agreements can address joint bank accounts and how these will be handled in case of separation. Parties can also use a nuptial agreement to protect their income or savings.
    • Business interests – A prenup can include provisions for the division of business assets and restrictions on the sale or transfer of those assets.

    What cannot be included in a Prenup?

    If you cover anything outside of financial matters in your prenup, a Judge may decide not to consider it.

    This means that your prenuptial agreement cannot include:

    • Decisions around child support or child custody
    • Lifestyle matters
    • Outlining domestic duties
    • Anything that prejudices the needs of a child of the family
    • Different financial outcomes based on the reason for divorce, e.g. adultery

    Can you get a prenup online without solicitors?

    Yes – you can make a prenup online without hiring solicitors.

    However, if your prenup includes clauses concerning businesses, inheritance, or property, for example, having a family lawyer prepare your prenup is essential.

    Legal clauses of this nature must be professionally drafted to ensure accuracy and compliance with UK laws.

    Do not expect a free template to be upheld by a Judge if it’s challenged in court.

    We have written about this topic in more detail: Can you write your own prenup in the UK?

    To summarise, you shouldn’t risk writing your own prenup to save a few hundred pounds as it can cost you far more in the future.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When does a prenup need to be signed?

    A prenup has to be signed a minimum of 28 days before your wedding date, not just before you walk down the aisle. This is to ensure that neither party was coerced into signing the agreement.

    The court will be reluctant to uphold a prenup that was not signed well in advance of marriage.

    Can you get a prenup after marriage?

    No, you cannot get a prenuptial agreement (pre-nup) after marriage, because a prenup is specifically an agreement that is made before marriage.

    However, married couples who wish to define terms similar to those in a prenup can create a postnuptial agreement (post-nup), which can be established at any point during the marriage.

    What is the difference between a pre-nup and a post-nup?

    Prenups are entered into before a couple gets married or enters into a civil partnership. It outlines how their assets and finances will be divided in the event of a divorce or separation.

    On the other hand, a postnuptial agreement is a legal contract that couples enter into after they are already married or in a civil partnership.

    The main difference is that a postnup is entered into after the marriage has already taken place.

    Post-nuptial agreements can be used to address changes in financial circumstances, inheritances, or the desire to protect certain assets acquired during the marriage.

    What are the benefits to signing a prenup?

    Here are five specific scenarios when getting a prenup agreement drawn up could be beneficial:

    1. There is a disparity in wealth between the parties – It’s common for one party to want a prenuptial agreement if they are entering the marriage with considerably more wealth. Without a prenup, they would stand to lose more than the other spouse in the event of a divorce and a division of assets.
    2. There is a future inheritance for one party – Safeguarding a future inheritance is one of the most common reasons for wanting a prenup if one spouse is expecting to receive a future inheritance.
    3. One party has a business to protect – If one party to the marriage owns a business this can be seen as an asset that would form part of the ‘matrimonial pot’. Obtaining a prenup will enable the business owner to place it outside of the ‘pot’ and safeguard not only their interests but those of other stakeholders and employees.
    4. Pass assets to children from prior marriages – The agreement you reach can dictate the rights of children from a previous marriage regarding property or assets should the marriage break down. The most common clause in this respect is for property owned before marriage.
    5. Prevent debts from becoming jointly owned – If your partner brings debt with them into the marriage, you can include a debt clause in the contract. The agreement doesn’t just protect you against existing debt, it can also go some way to protecting against debt liability should either spouse build up debts during the marriage.

    Final Thoughts

    Think of a prenup as an insurance policy. You buy house, car, health, and holiday insurance. Why? Not because you want or think things will go wrong, but to protect yourself should the worst happen.

    Since the groundbreaking 2010 case, UK courts have been more inclined to uphold prenups that meet the legal requirements.

    Ultimately, prenups allow you personal autonomy over your money and assets. Failing this, it could be left up to a Judge to decide who gets what.

    More couples are getting prenups before marriage than ever before, and with Divorce-Online, it’s easier and more affordable than you thought.

    Online Prenuptial Agreement Service – £849

    This service is ideal for couples who want to obtain a prenuptial agreement before marriage without spending thousands of pounds on lawyers’ fees. The agreement is drafted by qualified solicitors to your exact requirements. 

    Author: Georgina Hitchins

    This post was written by Georgina Hitchins. Georgina has recently been admitted as a solicitor following a long period of study while working as a paralegal with the firm. She has devoted the last few years to becoming an expert in advising on, and drafting complex pre nuptial agreements.

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