Pre & Post Nuptial Agreements
Protect what matters most. Our nationally recognised family solicitors advise high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients on bespoke pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements designed to safeguard significant wealth and complex assets.
Why consider a nuptial agreement?
For those with substantial wealth, family businesses, international assets, or trusts, financial uncertainty during divorce can be catastrophic. A well-drafted nuptial agreement offers clarity, control, and peace of mind—reducing risk and preserving your legacy.
Just as you would create a will to protect your estate, a nuptial agreement sets out your intentions should your marriage or civil partnership break down. These agreements are no longer taboo - they are a sophisticated wealth planning tool embraced by discerning individuals worldwide.
Pre-nuptial vs post-nuptial agreements
What's the difference?
- Pre-nuptial agreement: Entered into before marriage or civil partnership, ideal for those with significant pre-marital wealth, family businesses, or international holdings. Best if signed at least 28 days before the wedding
- Post-nuptial agreement: Executed after marriage, often following major liquidity events such as inheritance, sale of a business, or restructuring of family investments. Often used if time is short before the wedding, to avoid concerns over duress.
Both agreements can be tailored to address complex financial structures, trusts, and succession planning.
We offer a no-obligation initial consultation to understand your needs and assemble the best legal team for your case. You’ll find us approachable and supportive throughout the process.
Get in touch
Start with an initial no-obligation consultation and let us guide you through your options.
Are they enforceable?
The landmark case Radmacher v Granatino [2010] UKSC 42 transformed the legal landscape: the Supreme Court confirmed that nuptial agreements should be given “decisive weight” where freely entered into with full understanding and if fair. While the court retains ultimate discretion, properly drafted agreements are routinely upheld.
Key safeguards for enforceability:
- Agreement freely entered into
- Full appreciation of implications
- Independent legal advice for both parties
- Material disclosure of financial positions
- No duress
- Advice on enforceability in relevant foreign jurisdictions
- Signed well in advance of the wedding (at least 28 days before)
- Terms that are fair and reasonable
Why high-net-worth clients choose us
- Top-tier ranked by Legal 500 and Chambers for family law
- Expertise in complex asset protection, including trusts, family businesses and international wealth
- Strategic advice on integrating nuptial agreements into wider wealth planning
- Discreet, non-confrontational approach tailored to your objectives
- Ability to collaborate with tax advisers, wealth managers and private bankers
Next steps
If you are considering marriage or civil partnership, or have recently experienced a significant liquidity event, now is the time to protect your wealth. Contact our specialist family solicitors today for a confidential consultation.
FAQs
Courts now give significant weight to pre- and post-nuptial agreements that meet key criteria: signed at least 28 days before marriage, independent legal advice for both parties, full financial disclosure, and fair terms. Agreements that meet needs fairly are likely to be upheld. Our family solicitors work collaboratively to help you preserve wealth and protect assets.
We assess your circumstances and advise on likely outcomes with and without a nuptial agreement, based on what a court would do in the event of divorce.
In some cases, pre-marital assets can be ringfenced, but this depends on factors such as relationship length and asset use. We review your situation and future plans to advise.
These discussions can be sensitive. Our experienced family solicitors negotiate terms that protect your interests while prioritising your relationship.
Client success story
Protecting inherited family wealth
We were instructed by a couple ahead of their wedding to draft a pre-nuptial agreement protecting the wife’s inherited family wealth. She owned a substantial property funded by inheritance and received income from a family trust. As we can only act for one party, we referred the husband to a trusted firm for independent legal advice. We guided our client through the financial disclosure process and drafted an agreement that ringfenced her family assets while ensuring both parties’ future needs were met. Negotiations were handled sensitively and efficiently, and the agreement was signed six weeks before the wedding, giving our client peace of mind and allowing her to focus on her preparations.
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Chambers & Partners 2024
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The Legal 500, 2023
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The Legal 500, 2023
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The Legal 500, 2026
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The Legal 500, 2026
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Chambers & Partners, 2026
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The Legal 500, 2025
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The Legal 500, 2025
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The Legal 500, 2025
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The Legal 500, 2025
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Chambers & Partners, 2025
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Chambers & Partners, 2025
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Chambers & Partners, 2025
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Chambers & Partners, 2025
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Chambers High Net Worth 2025, Band 3
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Chambers High Net Worth 2025, Band 3
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Chambers High Net Worth 2025, Band 3
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Chambers High Net Worth 2025, Band 3
"The team are friendly and approachable, capable technically, but above all communicate in an efficient and appropriate manner with clients."
Chambers High Net Worth 2025, Band 3
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