Our prenuptial agreement solicitors can help couples plan ahead and protect their individual assets. Relationships evolve, and planning ahead can offer clarity and peace of mind. Whether you are entering a marriage, civil partnership, or living together, setting clear expectations about financial matters can help avoid conflict in the future.
Our Family Team provides tailored advice to help you make informed decisions — balancing protection, fairness and practicality.
A pre-nuptial agreement is drawn up before marriage or a pre-registration for a civil partnership to outline how you and your partner wish to deal with your assets should the relationship end.
A post-nuptial agreement serves the same purpose but is signed after the marriage or civil partnership has taken place. Both are particularly helpful where there are pre-acquired assets, children from previous relationships, or anticipated future inheritances.
We recommend that nuptial agreements are reviewed at key life stages — such as after the birth of children or major asset changes — to ensure they remain relevant and enforceable.
We acted for H, who was preparing to remarry. Both H and his fiancée, W, had grown-up children from previous marriages and had each rebuilt their finances. They were keen to ensure that these pre-acquired assets were safeguarded.
We negotiated and drafted a pre-nuptial agreement confirming that all pre-existing assets would remain separate and that any assets acquired during the marriage would be shared equally. The agreement also included provisions for a review after three years and periodically thereafter — to account for potential changes in their intentions regarding shared ownership or provision.
If you’re cohabiting, English law does not recognise “common-law” spouses — meaning legal protections are limited. Drawing up a cohabitation agreement or a property ownership agreement ensures clarity from the outset and avoids disputes should the relationship end.
We regularly assist couples in safeguarding their financial positions when buying property together or making differing contributions.
Our team brings extensive experience across trust, contract, property, and children law — allowing us to navigate even complex family arrangements with empathy and expertise.
📞 Book a free initial 30-minute consultation with a member of our Family Team to talk through your options.
Call 01285 650000 and ask to speak with Tracey, Sarah or Naomi today.
While prenuptial agreements are not legally binding in England and Wales, the courts have increasingly given significant weight to them when dividing assets in divorce proceedings. The GOV.UK guidance on money and property when a relationship ends provides useful background on how financial matters are handled.
Our prenuptial agreement solicitors also handle related family law matters including divorce and separation, financial claims, and cohabitation legal advice. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your situation.
Prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in England and Wales, but they carry significant weight with the courts, particularly following the landmark Supreme Court case of Radmacher v Granatino (2010). The court will consider whether the agreement was entered into freely, with full financial disclosure, and whether both parties had independent legal advice. Our prenuptial agreement solicitors ensure that all agreements are drafted to the highest standard, giving them the best possible chance of being upheld.
If you are considering a prenuptial agreement or want to discuss your options, please contact our Family Team for a free initial 30-minute consultation. We are based in Cirencester and serve clients throughout The Cotswolds and the surrounding area.
Tel: 01285 650 000
Fax: 01285 649 898
DX: 39400 Cirencester
Email: info@sml-law.co.uk
