Specialist Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers.

In England and Wales, prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding. However, the courts now attach significant weight to them, provided they have been properly prepared and are fair in the circumstances at the time of divorce.

The court will usually uphold a prenuptial agreement if both parties entered into it freely, with a full understanding of its implications, and after giving honest financial disclosure. The agreement must also meet the needs of both parties and any children. If those principles are satisfied, the court is likely to respect what the couple agreed.

When drafted carefully and reviewed in light of current law, a prenuptial agreement can therefore provide meaningful protection and clarity. Our role is to ensure that your agreement is robust, realistic and prepared in a way that gives it the best possible standing should it ever be scrutinised.

It is sensible to begin discussions well in advance of your wedding date. Leaving matters too late can create unnecessary pressure and may later be raised as a concern about whether one party felt rushed into signing.

Starting the process several months before the wedding allows time for open financial disclosure, thoughtful drafting and, if needed, respectful negotiation between solicitors. It also ensures that both of you have the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice without feeling under time constraints.

Approaching the agreement as part of your wider wedding planning, rather than a last-minute addition, often leads to a calmer and more constructive experience.

The timeframe will depend on the complexity of your finances and how straightforward the discussions are between both parties. For some couples with relatively simple asset structures and clear shared intentions, the process can be concluded within a matter of weeks. Where there are businesses, trusts, overseas assets or inherited wealth, it may take longer to ensure everything is accurately disclosed and properly addressed.

A well-prepared prenuptial agreement should never feel rushed. Time is needed to gather financial information, consider the long-term implications and ensure that both parties are comfortable with the terms. We will guide you through each stage at a pace that is appropriate for your circumstances and your wedding timetable.

Yes. For a prenuptial agreement to carry weight with the court, both parties should receive independent legal advice. This is an important safeguard. It ensures that each of you fully understands the implications of the agreement and that neither person is disadvantaged through a lack of advice.

One firm cannot advise both parties on the same agreement due to a conflict of interest. However, we can advise and represent one of you and liaise constructively with your partner’s solicitor to finalise the document. In some cases, we are asked to provide independent advice on an agreement drafted elsewhere, and we are happy to assist in that capacity.

Full financial disclosure means that both parties provide a clear and honest account of their financial position before the agreement is signed. This usually includes details of property, savings, investments, pensions, business interests and any significant liabilities.

The purpose of disclosure is transparency. Each of you should enter into the agreement knowing the true financial landscape. If assets are concealed or information is incomplete, the agreement may later be challenged.

We support clients in preparing comprehensive disclosure in a structured and proportionate way, ensuring that the process is thorough but not unnecessarily burdensome.

Yes, one of the most common reasons for entering into a prenuptial agreement is to protect inherited wealth, family businesses, agricultural land or other assets intended to remain within a family.

A carefully drafted agreement can record that certain assets are to be treated as non-matrimonial and set out how they would be approached in the event of divorce. This can be particularly important where there are generational businesses, farming partnerships or assets that involve wider family members.

While the court will always consider fairness and needs at the time of divorce, a clearly expressed intention agreed in advance can provide significant reassurance and stability.

A prenuptial agreement can address overseas property, investments and business interests. However, where there are international elements, additional care is required.

Different countries have different approaches to marital agreements, and in some cases it may be advisable to take local advice in the relevant jurisdiction. We regularly work alongside other professionals to ensure that agreements are structured with cross-border considerations in mind.

If you or your partner have connections outside England and Wales, it is important to raise this at an early stage so the agreement can be drafted appropriately.

A prenuptial agreement cannot prevent the court from making decisions about children. The welfare of any child will always be the court’s primary concern, and parents cannot override that principle through a private agreement.

However, a prenup can record intentions about financial provision and can provide a framework for how certain resources might be used. While these provisions are not binding in relation to children, they can offer guidance and reflect shared expectations.

It is important that any agreement remains realistic and responsive to the needs of children, both present and future.

A prenuptial agreement should be capable of being reviewed if there is a significant change in circumstances, such as the birth of a child, a substantial increase or decrease in wealth, or a change in health.

Many couples choose to review their agreement periodically or upon a major life event. In some situations, a postnuptial agreement may be appropriate to update or reaffirm the original terms.

Keeping the agreement under review helps ensure that it remains fair and relevant, which in turn strengthens its standing should it ever be considered by the court.

A prenuptial agreement is entered into before marriage. A postnuptial agreement is made after the wedding has taken place.

The legal principles applied by the court are similar in both cases. The key difference lies in timing. A postnuptial agreement can be useful where a couple did not put arrangements in place before marriage, or where circumstances have changed and they wish to clarify their financial position.

Both types of agreement can offer clarity and reassurance when prepared properly and with independent advice.

The cost of a prenuptial agreement will depend on the complexity of your financial arrangements, the level of negotiation required and whether there are international or business elements involved.

At Lanyon Bowdler, we offer a range of pricing options, including fixed fees where appropriate, so that you have clarity from the outset. During an initial discussion, we will talk through your circumstances and provide a transparent estimate of likely costs.

We believe that sensible financial planning should be accessible. Our focus is on delivering clear, practical advice and a carefully prepared agreement that gives you confidence about the future.