A prenuptial agreement is a document in which a couple set out their rights to any property, debts, income and other assets purchased together or acquired individually or that they have bought into their relationship in the event that the relationship ends.
In many cases prenuptial agreements are sought where one partner has substantial wealth prior to the marriage, and seeks to protect that wealth in the event of the marriage failing.
Is a Prenuptial Agreement legally binding in England?
Prenuptial agreements are not currently legally binding in England. However, a Judge is likely to take a prenuptial agreement into account when overseeing a case and is likely to uphold it, as long as certain safeguards have been met.
Recent cases show that prenuptial agreements are being upheld in many instances. For a prenuptial agreement to be upheld, the following safeguards must be met:
- The husband and the wife both received independent legal advice about the agreement at the outset.
- Full and frank financial disclosure of both parties’ assets was made prior to the agreement. Assets were not hidden.
- The agreement must not be entered into less than 21 days before the marriage.
- Neither party was under pressure or duress to sign the agreement against their will.
- There has been no significant change which would make the agreement inappropriate (for example, the birth of children).
- The agreement has to be fair and realistic. If the division of assets is weighted too heavily in the favour of one party, it may be judged to be unfair by the courts.
- Prenuptial agreements should be reviewed and amended during the course of the marriage, particularly when any child or children are born and periodically in any event.
- If the above safeguards are not met the prenuptial agreement is unlikely to be upheld by the courts.
When entering a prenuptial agreement each party must carefully consider future eventualities that could impact on the fairness of an agreement made between a couple who are about to marry, such as one having to give up a career to bring up children, the marriage lasting many years or more or future business ventures together. There are many possibilities.
If you would like more information on entering into a prenuptial agreement, contact Pindoria law to speak to one of our family solicitors.
