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. Our specialist family law solicitors in Kent support individuals and families across Kent from our offices in Canterbury, Maidstone, Ramsgate and Tenterden. We also have an office in Canary Wharf, London, providing expert legal support wherever you need us.
We offer:
Whether you’re cohabiting, engaged, or already married, we’ll help you protect what matters most.
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 cohabitation agreement solicitors and prenuptial and post nuptial agreement solicitors provide practical, sensitive advice to help you make informed decisions and secure your financial future.
Please note that we do not offer a Legal Aid service.
Depending on your circumstances, a prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement can help safeguard:
Our family lawyers can advise on the most suitable agreement for your circumstances and ensure it accurately reflects your intentions.
Many couples choose to live together without marrying or entering into a civil partnership. While this arrangement works well for many families, unmarried couples do not benefit from the same legal protections available to married couples if the relationship breaks down.
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 can help provide certainty by recording how property, savings, household expenses and other financial matters will be managed during the relationship and what should happen if you separate in the future. It sets out:
Our cohabitation agreement solicitors 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 whilst cohabiting.
Whether you are buying a property together, moving into a partner’s home, contributing unequal amounts towards a property purchase or simply wish to clarify financial arrangements, our cohabitation agreement solicitors can help you create an agreement that reflects your circumstances and intentions.
A prenuptial agreement (or ‘pre-nup’) 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 ‘post-nup’) is similar to a prenup but is made after marriage or civil partnership. Couples may choose a postnup if:
Like pre-nups, post-nups 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.
Our prenuptial agreement solicitors will help you create a robust postnuptial agreement that reflects your current situation and future intentions.
A prenuptial agreement is entered into before marriage or civil partnership and sets out how assets may be dealt with if the relationship ends. A cohabitation agreement is designed for unmarried couples who live together and wish to clarify financial arrangements and ownership of assets.
Yes. A postnuptial agreement can be used to protect assets acquired during a marriage, including inheritances, investments, business interests and other significant financial assets.
A prenuptial agreement is often one of the most effective ways to protect assets before marriage. It allows couples to agree how property, savings, pensions and other financial resources should be treated if the relationship ends.
No. Unmarried couples generally have fewer legal rights than married couples or civil partners. A cohabitation agreement can help provide greater certainty and financial protection by clearly recording each person's intentions and responsibilities.
Whether you are considering a prenuptial agreement, postnuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement, obtaining legal advice early can help protect your finances and provide certainty for the future. Our experienced family lawyers will take the time to understand your circumstances, explain your options clearly and prepare an agreement tailored to your needs.
