Hotels and wedding venues are busy hosting wedding fairs and gearing up for the wedding season, with everyone focused on the details of the big day, from the colour scheme and menu to the choice of attendants and music. One other thing which now appears on a wedding checklist is discussion of a prenuptial agreement, especially when it is a second marriage, if there are business interests, where the ‘Bank of Mum & Dad’ is helping with a deposit for a property or where one party will be introducing significant assets into the marriage which have been acquired prior to the relationship.
Nobody plans a wedding with separation in mind, but according to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021 the most common duration of marriage for opposite-sex couples was 8 years, for male same-sex couples it was 5 years; and for female same-sex couples it was 4 years. A prenuptial agreement should not be viewed as ‘unromantic’ or otherwise, rather a pragmatic means of providing clarity for couples as to the division of specific assets in the event of separation in future.
‘A prenuptial agreement provides a form of protection if the marriage does not last, and it lets couples decide in advance how their property and assets should be divided if they separate,’ says Jessica Inman, a family law solicitor at Tilly Bailey & Irvine in Wynyard. ‘However, it needs to be drawn up carefully and should not be rushed into at the last minute’. In any event, a prenuptial agreement needs to have been prepared and signed at least 28 days prior to the wedding date so forward-planning is crucial.
This form of agreement is a useful tool for providing certainty for the couple as they embark on their married life. It can be particularly beneficial if any assets would be difficult to divide 50/50; if you want to ensure children from a previous relationship are provided for; if you want to protect business assets or inherited wealth; or you do not want to be responsible for the other partner’s outstanding debts that have been used solely for their benefit.
Since the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Radmacher v Granatino, prenuptial agreements can now be given significant weight under UK law, and will be enforceable provided certain conditions are met. Courts can, however, still disregard them in certain circumstances if they are felt to be unfair – for example, if the children of a marriage are likely to suffer if the terms of the prenuptial agreement are upheld owing to the terms not being sufficient to meet basic needs moving forward.
In deciding what is fair, the court will apply the three-stage test set out in Radmacher. This means:
It is crucial to consult a specialist family lawyer before you sign a pre-nuptial agreement. They can make sure that all the legalities of a prenuptial agreement are observed, such as ensuring that:
It is completely up to you and your future spouse what terms are written into the prenuptial agreement, but could include clauses covering:
If you need advice on drafting a prenuptial agreement or want advice on any other family law matter, please contact our family law team on 01740 646000 or fill in an online enquiry form via our website and someone will be in touch.
Call: 01740 646000
