0161 434 0600
Family Law Services
Pre-nuptial Agreements
Plan ahead. Protect what matters. Enter marriage with clarity.
Prepare or review pre-nuptial agreements with confidence, care and clarity.
Marriage is one of the biggest commitments anyone makes — emotionally, practically, and financially. A Pre-Nuptial Agreement gives both parties the chance to agree, in advance, how certain assets would be treated if the marriage were to end.
At Didsbury Family Law, we help individuals and couples prepare or review pre-nuptial agreements with confidence, care and clarity. Whether you’re marrying later in life, remarrying, or entering the relationship with significant assets, a pre-nup can offer reassurance for you both.
What is a Pre-Nuptial Agreement?
A pre-nuptial agreement is a written contract between two people who are about to marry. It sets out how assets — such as property, pensions, savings or inherited wealth — would be treated if the marriage were to break down in the future.
Pre-nups are especially useful where one person already owns property, expects to receive an inheritance, has business interests, or is marrying for the second time. It allows both people to be open about their financial position before marriage and to reach a mutual understanding about how things would be handled, if needed.
Why consider a pre-nup?
Many people now marry later in life or bring existing wealth into a relationship. A pre-nup can help:
- Ringfence assets acquired before the marriage
- Protect inherited wealth or family gifts
- Clarify financial expectations from the start
- Reduce stress and uncertainty in the event of separation
- Avoid costly court disputes later on
Each agreement is tailored to the couple. And while no one plans for separation, having open conversations now can help avoid misunderstanding or tension later.nce.
Are pre-nuptial agreements legally binding?
Pre-nuptial agreements are not automatically binding in England and Wales — but they are increasingly upheld by the courts, especially where both parties received legal advice and the terms are fair and fully informed.
For a pre-nup to carry weight, it’s essential that:
- Both parties have independent legal advice
- There is full and frank financial disclosure
- The agreement is signed in good time before the wedding
- Its terms are reasonable and clear
We will guide you through each of these steps to ensure the agreement is as robust and reliable as possible.
How we can help
We offer a complete service to either:
- Prepare a pre-nuptial agreement based on your instructions, then liaise with your partner’s solicitor
- Review and advise on a pre-nup that has been drafted by your partner’s solicitor, ensuring your position is protected
In both cases, our work is handled personally by experienced family solicitors, with a calm and respectful approach. We can also securely store the signed agreement for you at no extra charge.
Fixed-Fee Consultations – We offer an initial family law consultation for a fixed fee of £120 inc VAT
This meeting, which lasts around an hour, gives you the chance to speak confidentially with a solicitor about your situation, options, and next steps. You’re under no pressure to proceed — and sometimes, a single session is all that’s needed to move forward with clarity.
Pre-Nuptial Agreements FAQs
Not at all. Many people use pre-nups to protect modest savings, future inheritance, or property they’ve worked hard to build up before the marriage. It’s about clarity, not wealth.
Ideally, your pre-nuptial agreement should be finalised at least 4–6 weeks before the wedding. This avoids any suggestion of pressure or last-minute decisions. We recommend starting the conversation as early as possible.
The court will usually begin by encouraging both parties to reach agreement. If that’s not possible, a judge can make a decision based on what is in the child’s best interests. We will support and represent you throughout the process.
Yes — couples are encouraged to review and update their pre-nuptial agreement if their circumstances change, such as the birth of children or significant financial shifts. You can also make a post-nuptial agreement later, which we can advise on separately.
Yes. For the agreement to carry real legal weight, both parties must have their own independent legal advice.
Speak to a solicitor
If you’re thinking about a pre-nuptial agreement — or you’ve been asked to consider one — we’re here to help.
Call 0161 434 0600, email info@didsburyfamilylaw.com, or book a consultation to speak to a family solicitor in complete confidence.