When entering into a relationship, protection of your financial position is not always your first thought.
As unromantic as it sounds, having a plan for the worst-case scenario, in the hope that you may never need to use it, is common sense. Whether you are intending to live with somebody, to marry or to enter into a civil partnership, we can draw up an agreement that reflects your intentions and protects you if the relationship breaks down in the future.
Our experienced family lawyers provide tailored advice on cohabitation agreements, prenuptial agreements, and postnuptial agreements to help you plan your future with confidence.
We offer:
Whether you’re cohabiting, engaged, or already married, we’ll help you protect what matters most.
Why legal relationship agreements are important
Relationship agreements offer clarity, reduce the risk of disputes, and protect both of you in the event of separation. They are especially important when:
Our experienced family lawyers provide practical, sensitive advice to help you make informed decisions and secure your financial future.
Cohabiting couples do not have the same legal rights as married couples or civil partners. Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a ‘common law marriage’ in the UK. This means that, if your relationship ends, you may have no automatic claim to property, savings, or pensions—even if you’ve contributed financially.
A cohabitation agreement is a legal document that sets out:
Our family lawyers offer legal advice for unmarried couples. We will give you clear and practical advice on the things you can do to help protect yourself, your rights of ownership and occupation of your home and your rights and responsibilities as a parent. We will help you draft a clear agreement that reflects your intentions and protects your interests.
A prenuptial agreement (or ‘prenup’) is a legal contract made before a marriage or civil partnership. It outlines how assets, property, and finances will be divided if the relationship ends.
If you plan to marry you may be concerned about protecting your assets, particularly where you have been married or in a relationship before. It is sensible to ensure you know where you stand should things not turn out as you plan.
Our experienced family lawyers can help you and your intended spouse draw up a clear agreement setting out your respective rights, in case it is needed in the future.
Prenups are especially useful if:
While prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in England and Wales, courts are increasingly willing to uphold them—provided they are fair, freely entered into, and both of you had independent legal advice.
There are time limits that can affect the validity of a prenup so they shouldn’t be left to the last minute. We will ensure your prenup is properly drafted, includes full financial disclosure, and is signed well in advance of the wedding (ideally 3-6 months). So all you have to do then is enjoy your special day.
A postnuptial agreement (or ‘postnup’) is similar to a prenup but is made after marriage or civil partnership. Couples may choose a postnup if:
Like prenups, postnups are not automatically binding but are increasingly recognised by courts as long as they meet fairness and transparency standards and provided they are fair, freely entered into, and both of you had independent legal advice.
We’ll help you create a robust postnuptial agreement that reflects your current situation and future intentions.
