Family Law Collaborative Divorce Blog : Bath Divorce Solicitors : Sharp Family Law : UK Collaborative Law & Family Mediation : Bristol, Swindon & Southern England

• Email This
• Print
• Comments (1)
• Trackbacks

As Prince William and Princess Kate bask in the early days of marital bliss we can only wonder what preparatory work was carried out in the run up to what was undoubtedly the wedding of the year if not the decade.

From a specialist family lawyer’s point of view, one can only assume that, at some stage, William and Kate must have considered whether they should enter into a prenuptial agreement. After all, Kate is a 'commoner' marrying into Royalty and the Royals are no strangers to marital breakdowns.

What is a prenup?

A prenuptial agreement is a formal written agreement entered into by an engaged couple prior to their marriage. It commonly records what should happen to the financial affairs of the couple should the marriage breakdown irretrievably.

Are prenups enforceable?

Until recently, under the law of England and Wales, prenups have not been recognised as being enforceable in the courts. However, a year ago, in March 2010, the Supreme Court made a ruling which changed how prenups would be treated.

The landmark court case involved a German heiress, Ms Radmacher and Mr Granatino, a French banker, prior to their marriage in 1998 they entered into a prenuptial agreement. When their marriage broke down in 2006, and divorce proceedings were instigated, Granatino attempted to go behind the financial agreement detailed in the prenup insisting that he was entitled to more than the financial share he had originally agreed to.

By a majority of eight to one, the Supreme Court justices concluded that in the right case such agreements can have decisive or compelling weight and that "it will be natural to infer that parties entering into agreements will intend that effect be given to them".

Who might benefit from a prenup?

Radmacher and Granatino involved a substantial fortune. Prince William is a future King of England and possible heir to the Queen's estate which, according to The Times Rich List 2011, is worth over £300 million. So are prenups only for the rich and famous.
 
At Sharp Family Law we see prenups being particularly useful to families wanting to pass wealth down the generations. Potential gifts or inheritance received during the marriage can be ring-fenced. Prenups can also be highly appropriate in second marriages where wealth accrued prior to the marriage can be protected.

From our offices in Bristol and Bath, our aim is to limit where possible the negative impact that marital disputes issues can have upon a family. We see clients contemplating marriage for a second time anxious not to repeat the trauma of divorce and financial separation. By entering into a prenuptial agreement, they may be able to protect their future financial wellbeing as well as their children’s inheritance.

When should a prenup be entered into?

Care must be taken not to leave preparation of prenuptial agreements to the last minute. Instead, a couple must ensure that they each receive independent legal advice in good time before the wedding. If left too late then one side could argue that they suffered emotional pressure to enter into the agreement.

Of course there are those who remain sceptical of prenuptial agreements claiming that they take the romance out of what should be an entirely romantic experience and perhaps they are right; prenups are not for everyone. However those who have an eye on the ‘bigger picture’ and who want to avoid prolonged conflict for the family if their marriage should breakdown may wish to consider a prenup. For further information on prenups contact Clare Webb at Sharp Family Law clare@sharpfamilylaw.com