A prince, a princess and a possible ‘pre-nup’?

‘Pre-nuptial agreements’ may still seem a bit too un-British for many normal couples but for Will and Kate the stakes are much higher, so will the royal couple choose to have one and should you and I’ asks Hayley Eachus, family lawyer at Phillips Solicitors.  ‘Both Will and Kate are likely to be realistic considering the royals’ recent record for divorces and would have valid reasons to sign a pre-nuptial agreement: both families have independent financial assets and are not likely to be complacent about money; they may wish to protect family assets which are intended to pass through generations; and a pre-nup could contain really useful privacy and confidentiality clauses that would keep royal business private in the future.  Questions of wealth and background surrounding the royal couple have consumed the media at a time when all the focus should really be on love and romance.  But there are substantial assets involved which the two families may wish to ring-fence, so a pre-nuptial agreement will provide an effective means to do so.

Pre-nups have become increasingly common in Britain, especially among the wealthy, but are they worth the paper they’re printed on for ordinary couples?  Whilst the assets in the royal family do not represent the average financial position of most of us, pre-nuptial agreements may prove a significant safeguard for many: for example if you’re entering a second marriage; or where personal or business assets have been acquired prior to the marriage; or where there is a desire to protect an inheritance and the needs of children from previous marriages.

What’s coming over loud and clear from recent well-publicised legal battles ’ concludes Hayley ‘is that these agreements will be treated as binding and won’t just affect the wealthy but will filter down to all intelligent adults where there is a significant disparity in the wealth you and your partner are bringing into a marriage.  My advice is – it’s certainly better to have one than not.’

Call Hayley on 01256 854633 for an informal chat or email heachus@phillips-law.co.uk