Pre-nuptial agreements

Pre-nuptial agreements can create a firm foundation for a marriage.

No one goes into a marriage assuming it's going to fail. However, the statistics tell us that we can't take anything for granted. And as happy as you are with your husband or wife-to-be, having a pre-nuptial agreement in place can be seen as a safety net, just in case things change.

The prenup sets out each partner's rights to property, debts, income and other assets if the relationship should end. Prenups are not automatically enforced by the courts, but when they have been prepared properly by a reputable family law solicitor (like Davis Blank Furniss), courts do take them seriously.

We can chat through your situation and advise you on whether a prenup is appropriate. It may well be the right move if, for example, you've been married before and want to protect yourself from claims regarding previous settlements, you want to avoid a long and costly dispute about who gets what, you have children from a previous marriage and want to ensure they are provided for, or you have significant assets or properties that you want to protect if things were to go wrong.

You and your partner will need to use different solicitors, so that you're both equally represented and everyone agrees that the prenup is fair. And we'll need to take into account changes that may take place once you're married, such as redundancy, inheritances, children, pensions and future assets.

The process can take some time, and needs careful thought, so don't try to rush through it right before your wedding day. Make sure you plan in advance, as it also means the courts are more likely to take the agreement seriously.

A prenup can definitely be worth having, but at the same time, we hope our hard work won't ever be needed.