Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers in Portsmouth, Chichester and Alton
A prenuptial agreement helps to give you security if your marriage sadly does come to an end.
A prenuptial agreement (often referred to as a “pre-nup”) is a formal written agreement entered into by a couple before they get married, and which sets out how they wish to organise their finances during the marriage. It also sets out what will happen to their assets in the event of a marriage breakdown.
Nobody enters a marriage thinking that one day it may end, but sadly some marriages do end in divorce. A prenuptial agreement gives you security that you already have an agreement in place regarding your financial affairs if the marriage did come to an end.
Our experienced prenuptial agreement solicitors in Portsmouth, Chichester and Alton provide expert legal advice to help you protect your assets, business interests, and family wealth. Prenuptials are generally presumed to be enforceable except where they lead to unfair outcomes. Prenuptial agreements have become more accessible to all couples, and not just the rich and famous.
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What is a prenuptial agreement?
A prenuptial agreement (or prenup) is a contract made between two people before they marry. It sets out how assets, property, savings, pensions, business interests, and debts will be divided if the marriage ends in divorce or separation.
Prenuptial agreements have become increasingly common in the UK and are no longer just for the wealthy or famous. They provide clarity, protect family wealth, safeguard business interests, and can significantly reduce conflict and legal costs if a marriage breaks down.
While prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in England and Wales, UK courts will uphold them provided they meet certain criteria — including full financial disclosure, independent legal advice for both parties, and fairness at the time of enforcement.
Why Choose JC Solicitors for Your Prenuptial Agreement?
At JC Solicitors, our family law team has extensive experience drafting prenuptial agreements that are legally robust, fair, and tailored to your unique circumstances. We understand that discussing a prenup can feel uncomfortable, which is why we provide clear, compassionate legal advice in a supportive environment.
Our prenuptial agreement services include:
- Free initial telephone consultation to discuss your needs
- Comprehensive financial disclosure guidance
- Drafting bespoke prenuptial agreements
- Coordination of independent legal advice for both parties
- Review and negotiation of prenup terms
- Advice on enforceability and legal requirements
- Ongoing support throughout the process
We serve clients across Portsmouth, Chichester, Alton and throughout Hampshire, offering convenient local access to specialist family law solicitors.
Learn more about prenuptial agreements in our blog: Pre-nuptial Agreements: Just for the Rich and Famous?
What Should Be Included in a Prenuptial Agreement?
A well-drafted prenuptial agreement should cover all significant financial matters to provide clarity and protection for both parties. Our prenup solicitors will work with you to ensure your agreement is comprehensive and legally sound.
Assets and Property
Your prenup should clearly identify all property owned before marriage — including family homes, investment properties, and overseas assets — and specify how these will be treated during the marriage and upon divorce.
Business Interests
If you own a business or hold shares in a company, a prenuptial agreement can protect your business interests and prevent disruption to your company in the event of divorce.
Inheritance and Family Wealth
Prenups are particularly important for protecting inherited wealth, family heirlooms, and assets you wish to pass on to children from previous relationships.
Debts and Liabilities
Your agreement should address how existing debts (such as student loans, credit cards, or business liabilities) will be managed and whether each party remains responsible for their own pre-marital debts.
Spousal Maintenance
You can include provisions about whether spousal maintenance (ongoing financial support) will be paid in the event of divorce, and if so, how much and for how long.
Our prenuptial agreement lawyers will guide you through each element to ensure your agreement is fair, comprehensive, and enforceable.
The Prenuptial Agreement Process
Our prenup lawyers guide you through each stage of the process, ensuring your agreement is legally sound and protects your interests.
Step 1: Initial Consultation
We begin with a free initial telephone consultation to understand your circumstances, explain how prenuptial agreements work, and discuss what you want to achieve. This meeting is confidential and without obligation.
Step 2: Financial Disclosure
Both parties must provide full and frank disclosure of their financial circumstances — including assets, income, debts, pensions, and business interests. This transparency is essential for the agreement to be enforceable.
Step 3: Drafting the Agreement
Our family lawyers will draft a bespoke prenuptial agreement tailored to your specific needs, ensuring it covers all relevant financial matters and meets legal requirements for enforceability.
Step 4: Independent Legal Advice
Both parties must receive independent legal advice from separate solicitors. This ensures fairness, protects both parties’ interests, and strengthens the agreement’s legal standing.
Step 5: Signing and Witnessing
Once both parties are satisfied with the terms, the prenuptial agreement is signed and witnessed. To maximise enforceability, this should be done at least 28 days before the wedding.
Our prenup solicitors in Portsmouth, Chichester and Alton will support you throughout the entire process, ensuring your agreement is fair, comprehensive, and legally robust.
Meet Our Prenuptial Agreement Lawyers
At JC Solicitors, our family law team combines local knowledge, national expertise, and a personal, down-to-earth approach. We understand that discussing prenuptial agreements can be sensitive, which is why we provide clear legal advice in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.
Tania Jeffery
Tania Jeffery is managing director of JC Solicitors After completing her law degree at Southampton University and Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Guildford, Tania undertook her training contract with a regional firm based in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
You can contact Tania on 01243 850 860 or email tania@jcsolicitors.com
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Paula Solieri
Paula Solier
i is a Chartered Legal Executive and Collaborative Lawyer and has specialised in family law for over 25 years. Paula is known for her client-focussed approach and capacity to simplify complex issues and provide support.
You can contact Paula on 01243554273 or email paula@jcsolicitors.com
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Josie Buck
Josie Buck provides legal support for Tania and Paula and has worked for various law firms across Chichester and Worthing.
You can contact Josie on 01243850308 or email josie@jcsolicitors.com
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What Our Clients Say
We pride ourselves on delivering expert family law legal advice and representation that makes a difference. Clients regularly highlight our clear communication, local knowledge, strategic support and genuinely caring approach.
Prenuptial Agreement FAQs
What is a prenuptial agreement?
A prenuptial agreement (also known as a prenup or pre-nup) is a formal legal contract entered into by a couple before they get married. It sets out how their finances, assets, property, pensions, business interests, and debts will be organised during the marriage and divided in the event of divorce or separation. Prenuptial agreements provide clarity and financial protection for both parties, helping to reduce conflict and legal costs if the marriage breaks down.
How much does a prenup cost in the UK?
The cost of a prenuptial agreement in the UK typically ranges from £1,500 to £3,000 per person for straightforward cases, and £3,000 to £10,000+ per person for complex situations involving businesses, overseas assets, or trusts. Both parties must instruct separate solicitors to receive independent legal advice, which means each person will incur their own legal fees. At JC Solicitors, we offer a free initial telephone consultation and provide transparent fee estimates upfront so you know what to expect from the beginning.
Are prenuptial agreements legally binding in the UK?
Prenuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in England and Wales, but courts will uphold them provided certain conditions are met. Following the landmark Supreme Court case Radmacher v Granatino (2010), prenups are given significant weight by family courts. For a prenup to be enforceable, it must be entered into freely, include full financial disclosure from both parties, be signed at least 28 days before the wedding, provide for both parties’ needs (especially if there are children), and both parties must receive independent legal advice from separate solicitors.
Do I need a solicitor for a prenuptial agreement?
Yes, it is essential that both parties instruct separate lawyers to receive independent legal advice when creating a prenuptial agreement. This is a key requirement for the agreement to be enforceable in court. Independent legal advice ensures that both parties fully understand the terms of the agreement, that it is fair, and that neither party has been pressured or coerced into signing. Without independent legal advice, a court may decide not to uphold the prenup.
What should be included in a prenuptial agreement?
A comprehensive prenuptial agreement should include: all assets and property owned before marriage (including family homes, investment properties, and overseas assets); business interests and shareholdings; inheritance and family wealth you wish to protect; existing debts and liabilities (such as student loans or business debts); provisions for spousal maintenance (ongoing financial support); and how pensions will be treated. Our prenuptial agreement solicitors will work with you to ensure your agreement covers all relevant financial matters and is tailored to your specific circumstances.
Can a prenup be challenged in court?
Yes, a prenuptial agreement can be challenged in court, but it is less likely to be overturned if it meets all legal requirements. A prenup may be challenged if one party can demonstrate that they did not receive independent legal advice, there was not full financial disclosure, they were pressured into signing, the agreement is manifestly unfair, or circumstances have changed significantly since it was signed (such as the birth of children or a major change in financial circumstances). Our solicitors ensure your prenup is drafted to minimise the risk of successful challenge.
How long does it take to create a prenuptial agreement?
The time required to create a prenuptial agreement varies depending on the complexity of your financial situation and how quickly both parties can provide full financial disclosure. On average, the process takes between 4 to 12 weeks. It is crucial to allow sufficient time before your wedding, as the agreement must be signed at least 28 days before the wedding date to maximise its enforceability. We recommend starting the process at least 3 to 6 months before your wedding to avoid any last-minute pressure.
When should I get a prenuptial agreement?
You should consider getting a prenuptial agreement if: you own significant assets, property, or business interests before marriage; you have received or expect to receive an inheritance; you have children from a previous relationship and want to protect their financial interests; there is a significant disparity in wealth or income between you and your partner; you want to protect family wealth or heirlooms; or you simply want clarity and peace of mind about financial arrangements. The earlier you start the process, the better — ideally 3 to 6 months before your wedding.
Call our Alton office on 01420 544 273, our Chichester office on 01243 850 860, or our Portsmouth office on 02392 174 049.
