Prenuptial Agreements Solicitors

How can we help with prenuptial agreements and marital agreements

At Nelsons, we have one of the largest teams of specialist family law solicitors across the East Midlands, with experts in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham, who can advise on prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements.

A postnuptial agreement is similar to a prenuptial agreement but is made after marriage, often when circumstances change, such as receiving an inheritance, launching a business, or starting a family.

We specialise in providing comprehensive legal services to individuals and couples seeking to safeguard their financial interests through carefully crafted marital agreements. Our solicitors understand that planning for the future is an essential part of any relationship, and we’re here to guide you through the process with professionalism, sensitivity, and care.

Prenuptial agreement services we provide

Our prenuptial agreement lawyers provide comprehensive services designed to protect your financial interests whilst maintaining the trust that forms your relationship’s foundation. 

• Standard prenuptial agreements – We draft comprehensive prenuptial agreements protecting individual assets, property, and financial interests acquired before marriage, whilst establishing clear frameworks for assets acquired during marriage. Our standard agreements address property ownership, business interests, inheritance protection, and debt allocation whilst ensuring both parties understand their rights and obligations. These agreements provide clarity about financial arrangements whilst preserving relationship trust through transparent communication.
• Complex asset protection agreements – High-net-worth individuals need sophisticated prenuptial agreements protecting multiple properties, international investments, and family businesses. Our complex agreements incorporate trust structures, offshore assets, and multi-jurisdictional considerations whilst ensuring compliance with relevant legal requirements. These arrangements require careful drafting to address tax implications, business succession planning, and coordination with existing wealth management structures.
• Business protection and succession planning – We draft prenuptial agreements specifically protecting family businesses, professional practices, and entrepreneurial ventures from matrimonial claims whilst ensuring business continuity. Our business protection specialists understand the unique challenges facing business owners and create agreements preserving business value whilst providing fair provision for both spouses. Business protection requires careful consideration of valuation methods and succession planning.
• Inheritance and family wealth protection – Our prenuptial agreement lawyers create agreements preserving family wealth, heirlooms, and inheritance expectations for future generations whilst ensuring current partners are fairly provided for. We understand the delicate balance between protecting family assets and ensuring marriage partners feel secure whilst addressing legitimate concerns about preserving generational wealth.
• International and cross-border agreements – We handle prenuptial agreements for couples with international connections, overseas assets, or multi-jurisdictional considerations. These agreements must be structured for recognition across different legal systems whilst working with overseas legal experts to create comprehensive protection. International considerations include domicile planning, tax implications, and ensuring enforceability across multiple jurisdictions.
• Second marriage and blended family agreements – Second marriages involve complex considerations when partners have children from previous relationships and established asset bases. Our second marriage specialists create agreements addressing these unique challenges whilst ensuring all family members’ interests are appropriately considered. These agreements often involve provisions for children from previous relationships and existing financial obligations.
• Post-nuptial agreement creation – When couples didn’t create prenuptial agreements or circumstances have changed significantly, we draft post-nuptial agreements providing similar protection. Post-nuptial agreements involve additional legal complexities whilst creating fair arrangements that strengthen marriages. These agreements can address changed circumstances, new assets, or evolved priorities whilst maintaining enforceability standards.
  

Are prenuptial agreements legally binding in the UK?

While prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding under UK law, they are increasingly given significant weight by the courts, especially since the landmark case of Radmacher v Granatino (2010), which established that such agreements should generally be upheld if they are entered into freely, with complete understanding, and are fair to both parties.

In practice, this means that a well-drafted, transparent, and fair prenuptial agreement can strongly influence the outcome of financial proceedings in the event of divorce or separation. Courts will look carefully at how the agreement was made and whether it meets the following fundamental requirements:

• Independent legal advice for both partners – Each party must receive their own advice from separate solicitors to confirm they understand the implications of the agreement and are signing voluntarily.
• Full and honest financial disclosure – Both parties need to provide a clear and accurate picture of their finances, including assets, debts, property, income, and potential inheritances.
• Timing and consideration – The agreement should be finalised well before the wedding (ideally at least 28 days in advance) so that neither partner feels pressured or rushed into signing. We recommend starting at least three to six months before your wedding. This allows plenty of time for negotiations, legal advice, and thoughtful decision-making without any time constraints.
• Fair and reasonable terms – The agreement must not leave one person in financial hardship or unfairly favour one side. Courts are more likely to uphold agreements that provide for both partners’ reasonable needs.

At Nelsons, we make sure every prenuptial agreement we draft meets these high standards. Our solicitors take care to balance protection with fairness, so the agreement reflects your individual circumstances and is prepared in a way that would stand up to scrutiny if reviewed by a court.

We’ll also make sure your agreement is kept under review, as it’s wise to update it if your circumstances change, for example, after children are born, new assets are acquired, or your financial situation evolves.

Why choose Nelsons for prenuptial agreements lawyers?

Planning for your future together starts with proper legal protection. Our experienced prenuptial agreement specialists in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham are ready to help you create comprehensive marital agreements that protect both partners’ interests.

Contact us today on 0800 024 1976 or via our online enquiry form to discuss how we can help you create a prenuptial agreement that provides security and peace of mind.