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Pre-Nuptial Advice

More than one in three marriages now ends in divorce.  These statistics are even higher for second marriages.  No one goes into marriage contemplating that it will end, but increasingly people are looking to protect assets that they have accumulated or inherited before marrying, or have received following a first divorce.

A Pre-Nuptial Agreement demonstrates what both spouses or civil partners intended to happen financially if they were to separate.

The UK has been slower than the US to adopt Pre-Nuptial Agreements but strides are now being taken towards their recognition under English law.  Cases in 2007 and 2008 demonstrated that in some circumstances the Courts will now give weight to Pre-Nuptial Agreements even though they are not yet legally binding.

There are several important criteria when making a Pre-Nuptial Agreement:

• Both parties must have received their own independent legal advice about the content of the agreement
• There needs to be full disclosure of each person’s financial position
• The agreement needs to be signed at least 21 days before the date of the marriage.

 

For individual advice please contact Neale Grearson in Norwich, Mary Pearce in Bury St Edmunds or Fiona Bethel in Cambridge.

"The breakdown of a relationship can be traumatic. Because every situation is different, we are committed to working to achieve the right results for you and your family, and responding to your individual requirements."