What Would I Put in a Prenuptial Agreement?

The prenuptial agreement would be tailored to your own individual needs and circumstances. That is the benefit of obtaining bespoke professional advice rather than a cheap online form. Many of our clients ask us to encompass the following matters in their agreements:Ownership of assets/property acquired pre/post marriage in one person’s sole nameOwnership of assets/property in joint namesRing fencing any pre-marital contributions/trust related assets/business interestsHow inheritances/gifts are to be treatedWhether any maintenance will be paid by one party upon marital breakdown and, if so, for what duration and how will that be negotiated?How will the interests of minor dependent children be met?Will pensions be shared/nomination of death in service benefits?Entitlement to cash savings/policies/other assetsCars/valuable items/contentsHow will debts be treated?What will happen on the death of either party?When will the terms of the agreement be reviewed?

Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements | Expert Family Solicitors

Looking to protect your assets and plan fairly for the future?

We help couples create clear, legally-sound prenuptial agreements and postnuptial agreements.

Whether you are planning to marry or already have, we will guide you with expert advice that puts your needs and peace of mind first.

Plan with Confidence and Care with Prenuptial Agreements

If you are worried about protecting your home or business, or your children’s future then you are not alone. We help individuals across Leeds and Yorkshire, as well as nationally, to create fair, transparent prenuptial and postnuptial agreements that put your peace of mind first.

Few of us want to use a Solicitor, it's a service for which life events find us seeking their help. However, Harriet was fabulous throughout. I wouldn't hesitate in thoroughly recommending Winston Solictors.

Tim, Leeds

What Is a Prenuptial Agreement?

A prenuptial agreement (or prenup) is a written agreement made before you get married or enter a civil partnership. It sets out what will happen to your assets and finances if the relationship breaks down later.

Prenuptial agreements are not just for the wealthy - they are for anyone who wants clarity, security, and fairness.

What Is a Postnuptial Agreement?

A postnuptial agreement is similar, but it’s made after you’re already married or in a civil partnership. It can update your plans as life changes. For example, when you are planning to buy a house, potentially inheriting or being gifted money, or having children.

Why Couples Choose a Prenup or Postnup

People across Leeds, Yorkshire and nationally come to us for all sorts of reasons, including:

Protecting a family business
Safeguarding children from previous relationships
Keeping property or savings separate
Clarifying what’s joint vs individual
Avoiding future disputes if things change
Prenups and postnups

A good agreement can protect both people, not just financially, but emotionally too.

Teresa Davidson, Head of Family Law at Winston Solicitors

Are Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements Binding in the UK?

They’re not automatically binding like a court order, but they are taken very seriously.
Courts will usually uphold prenuptial and postnuptial agreements if they’re fair, properly written, and follow legal safeguards.

We will make sure your agreement:

Is entered into well before the wedding or civil partnership (at least 4 weeks, so plan much earlier)
Is backed by independent legal advice
Includes full financial disclosure
Has review points built in for life changes if needed

What Can You Include in a Prenup or Postnup?

Every agreement is bespoke, but here are common examples:

Who owns pre-marital property
What happens to joint savings or debts
Whether you’ll share pensions
How gifts and inheritance are treated
What happens to cars and valuables
How business shares will be treated
What kind of maintenance or support might apply
Provisions for children’s needs
Plans for reviewing or updating the agreement

You decide what matters and we will guide you through it with clear, personal advice.

How to Create a Prenuptial or Postnuptial Agreement

Speak with a family law solicitor
Book a free, no-obligation call with our team in Leeds.
Share your financial picture
We’ll help you prepare full financial disclosure. It’s a vital part of making the agreement fair.
Draft your agreement
Your solicitor will prepare a tailored prenup or postnup based on your needs and values.
Independent legal review
Your partner will also need their own legal advice to keep things fair and enforceable.
Sign in good time
For prenups, aim to sign at least 4 weeks before the wedding or civil partnership.

Ready to Protect Your Future?

Whether you are planning ahead or adjusting after marriage, a well-drafted agreement can reduce stress, protect your loved ones, and give you both peace of mind.

Winston Solicitors will support you every step of the way with clear advice, local understanding, and over 3,000 five-star reviews to back it up.

Call us on 0113 320 5000 or email @email.

Very happy with Winston's solicitors, I was able to be seen at very short notice which helped me out a lot, felt reassured with the short time I spent there, Hannah was very helpful and listened thoroughly to gain an understanding of what I was dealing with, I wouldn't hesitate to use again in the future if necessary.

Richard, Barwick in Elmet, Leeds

FAQs

Not automatically, but courts often uphold them if they’re fair, signed in good time, and both people had legal advice. We help make sure yours ticks all the right boxes.

Yes. It’s called a postnuptial agreement. It works in a similar way and can give you clarity at any stage in your marriage or civil partnership.

Postnuptial and prenuptial agreements are increasingly worthwhile if you have assets that you want to ring-fence/protect against any future financial claims made by your spouse/civil partner. They are like an insurance policy and can also be used to protect assets likely to be received by way of future inheritance. They can also protect your interests if you are marrying or have married/entered into a civil partnership for a second or subsequent time.

The prenuptial agreement would be tailored to your own individual needs and circumstances. That is the benefit of obtaining bespoke professional advice rather than a cheap online form. Many of our clients ask us to encompass the following matters in their agreements:

Ownership of assets/property acquired pre/post marriage in one person’s sole name
Ownership of assets/property in joint names
Ring fencing any pre-marital contributions/trust related assets/business interests
How inheritances/gifts are to be treated
Whether any maintenance will be paid by one party upon marital breakdown and, if so, for what duration and how will that be negotiated?
How will the interests of minor dependent children be met?
Will pensions be shared/nomination of death in service benefits?
Entitlement to cash savings/policies/other assets
Cars/valuable items/contents
How will debts be treated?
What will happen on the death of either party?
When will the terms of the agreement be reviewed?

It depends on how complex your finances are. We offer transparent fees and will give you a clear estimate early in the process.

A prenup is signed before you marry. A postnup is signed after. Both serve the same purpose, which is to agree on what happens to your finances if things change.

Yes, you can. Many people want to protect future inheritance or family gifts and we can help you include that clearly in the agreement.

Yes. The rules are the same. You can make a pre- or post-civil partnership agreement to protect your assets and plan for the future.

Ideally at least 4 weeks before. The earlier the better. It helps show both parties had time and space to decide fairly.

Case Studies

Protecting Family Business Assets with a Prenuptial Agreement

The Situation

John, a successful business owner, was about to marry Emily, a teacher. John wanted to ensure that his family business, which had been in his family for generations, would remain protected in the event of a divorce.

The Challenge

The challenge was to create a Prenuptial Agreement that would protect John's business assets while also being fair to Emily and providing for her needs.

The Solution

Winston Solicitors worked closely with both parties to draft a comprehensive Prenuptial Agreement. The agreement specified that John's business assets would remain his sole property, while also ensuring that Emily would be financially secure through other assets and joint savings. The agreement also included clauses for periodic reviews to account for changes in financial circumstances such as the birth of children.

The Outcome

Both John and Emily felt the agreement was fair and equitable, providing them peace of mind as they entered into their marriage and giving certainty for the other business owners.

Navigating Second Marriages and Complex Assets

The Situation

Sarah and Mark, both in their 50s, were planning to marry. Each had children from previous marriages and significant assets, including property and retirement accounts.

The Challenge

The couple wanted to ensure that their assets would go to their respective children while also providing for each other.

The Solution

Our team at Winston Solicitors crafted a detailed Prenuptial Agreement that outlined the division of assets, including provisions for their children and future grandchildren

The Outcome

Sarah and Mark entered their marriage with a clear financial plan, ensuring a harmonious blending of their families and assets to avoid later disputes between any elements of their blended family.

Client feedback

Outstanding Legal Support from Start to Finish:From my initial call to the resolution of my case, the firm and its staff demonstrated exceptional professionalism and care. I would particularly like to commend Mrs Harriet Reid, a family solicitor whose dedication and expertise were instrumental in achieving a successful outcome.Despite having less than ten days to prepare, Mrs Reid devoted considerable time and attention to my case. Her legal knowledge, strategic insight, and empathetic approach were of the highest calibre. She displayed remarkable skill in preparing the case for my counsel, ensuring every detail was meticulously addressed.If I ever require legal representation again, I know exactly where to turn.

Anonymous

Teresa and Judith assisted with my recent divorce and i cannot rate them highly enough, i was talked through every aspect and everything was explained in full and i was kept fully updated and imformed of everything that i needed to do and when it was required for. Their patience when i was working away and understanding was especially appreciated.Once that was all complete Amanda and Samantha and the convayensing team sorted the transfer of the house and the paperwork associated with that.I would highly recommend them and thier company for any legal issues you have and would use thier services again without hesitation.

Richard J

Hannah at Winston helped me with filing the financial issues of my divorce to the court. She liaised with my ex husband as I was at a point I could no longer speak to him. I am very grateful to Winston’s and especially Hannah.

Anonymous

Was very satisfied with all the procedure of getting divorced was kept informed always through and explained all the legality in simple terms

Terry

Wendy Campbell who delt with my devorce was polite and understanding,very pefessional.I could not have ask for a better person to help me through the bad times. Always keeping me up to date with every thing and no problem she could not handle.

Andrew

My Divorce case was handled efficiently and with understanding by Teresa and Judith who guided me all the way through it with sympathy for the circumstances and I wouldn't hestitate to recommend them, infact I have already done so!

Elizabeth R

I have used Winstons for both family and Conveyancing and they have been 5* on both.I would highly recommend

Jacqueline

Review for Wendy – Family Law Services at Winston’s Solicitors, LeedsI recently had the pleasure of working with Wendy from Winston’s Solicitors in Leeds on a family law matter, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From our first consultation, Wendy was incredibly professional, empathetic, and thorough in her approach. She took the time to fully understand my situation, providing clear and concise advice at every step of the process.Throughout the entire case, Wendy was always available to answer any questions I had, and she made sure I felt supported and informed. Her knowledge of family law is exceptional, and I felt confident in her ability to handle my case. She was transparent about all costs, keeping me informed of any developments along the way.What truly stood out to me was her attention to detail and her ability to navigate what was a very emotionally charged situation with sensitivity and care. Wendy was not only a skilled professional but also genuinely understanding of the emotional impact of my case, which made a huge difference during a stressful time.Thanks to Wendy’s hard work and dedication, I was able to reach a favorable outcome, and I am incredibly grateful for her support. If you are looking for a compassionate and experienced family law solicitor, I would wholeheartedly recommend Wendy at Winston’s Solicitors.

Natalie