Children running on a beach in the sunset

> Experience > Our practices > Divorce and family lawyers > Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

Couples who want to prepare for every eventuality benefit from our vast experience drafting pre and postnuptial agreements. Whatever your circumstances, we aim to make the process a valuable one, thinking through your priorities to create a tailored document just for you.
Get in touch

Deciding to get married is an exciting time in your life, and a prenuptial agreement may be the last thing on your mind. But more and more couples are deciding on this route to bring them peace of mind should the unthinkable happen.

Whether you decided to have an agreement or it is at the suggestion of family members, trustees or fellow shareholders, a prenuptial agreement (as with pre-civil partnership and postnuptial agreements) can save a lot of stress, dispute and future legal costs should the relationship break down. We have enormous experience in the drafting and negotiation of these agreements, whether they are multi-jurisdictional in scope or relate just to one country.
 
Although these agreements are not yet legally binding in England, a Supreme Court ruling in 2010 saw the introduction of a presumption that family courts should hold spouses to a nuptial agreement (whether made before or after the marriage) if both parties understood the implications of entering into the agreement. The legal position is similar in Hong Kong. Nuptial agreements are valid in Singapore as long as they do not negate from the marital relationship and the weight that the Courts in Singapore would give to such agreements would have to be assessed on each case.

We advise either the financially stronger party, or the intended spouse or civil partner, and we take great care to tailor our approach to individual circumstances. We have created prenups and postnups for a range of different people from entrepreneurs thinking about their business interests, beneficiaries of family trusts and shareholders in family businesses, to high-profile celebrities wishing to protect their reputations. As with all our work, total discretion is paramount.

Where partners come from different countries, or own property or have other financial interests outside England, we work where appropriate with leading family lawyers in other jurisdictions known to us through our membership of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and, as needs be, with our colleagues from other teams within Withers (for example where advice is required on tax and trusts, property or business matters).

<< DIVORCE AND FAMILY LAW

Track record

Recent recognition

The Times best law firms of 2023
Recommended for family law
Top tier firm in UK by Legal 500 in 2023
Top ranked for divorce and family (Band 1)
Top ranked in Chambers UK 2023
Top ranked for divorce and family (Band 1)
Ranked in top family law firms by ePrivate Client in 2022
Winner of best client service innovation by The Lawyer Awards in 2022
Best client innovation service
2022 Benchmark Litigation top tier firm
Top tier for family
Top ranked in Greater China Region by Chambers 2022
Top ranked for divorce and family
Doyles leading firm in 2022
Leading firm for family and divorce law
The Times best law firms of 2022
Recommended for family law
2022 Benchmark Litigation recommended firm
Recommended firm for family and matrimonial
Spears 500 2022 top recommended
Top recommended for family law
Top ranked in Chambers HNW 2022
Ranked for Family
Ranked in Singapore's best law firms by The Straits Times in 2022
Highly recommended for family law
Top tier firm in UK by Legal 500 in 2022
Top ranked for family (Band 1)
Top ranked in Chambers UK 2022
 Top ranked for family (Band 1)
ePrivate Client Excellence Awards
Private client innovation of the year winner in Spears Wealth Management Awards 2021
Private client innovation of the year
Spears 500 2020
Spears 500 2020
Founding partner of Tatler HNW
Tatler HNW 2020
Top ranked in Chambers UK 2020
Top ranked in family (band 1)
Chambers HNW 2020 top ranked
Family (Band 1)

Meet the team

Michael Gouriet

Michael Gouriet

Partner | London

Michael Gouriet

Partner | London

Divorce and family

Email Michael
+44 20 7597 6125
Billy Ko

Billy Ko

Partner | Hong Kong

Billy Ko

Partner | Hong Kong

Family

Email Billy
+852 3711 1656
Claire Blakemore

Claire Blakemore

Partner | London

Claire Blakemore

Partner | London

Divorce and family

Email Claire
+44 20 7597 6025
Adele Pledger

Adele Pledger

Partner | London

Adele Pledger

Partner | London

Divorce and family

Email Adele
+44 20 7597 6447
Brett A. Frankle

Brett A. Frankle

Partner | London

Brett A. Frankle

Partner | London

Divorce and family

Email Brett
+44 20 7597 6222
Jennifer Dickson

Jennifer Dickson

Partner | London

Jennifer Dickson

Partner | London

Divorce and family

Email Jennifer
+44 20 7597 6652
Jocelyn Tsao

Jocelyn Tsao

Partner | Hong Kong

Jocelyn Tsao

Partner | Hong Kong

Divorce and family

Email Jocelyn
+852 3711 1609
Katharine Landells

Katharine Landells

Partner | London

Katharine Landells

Partner | London

Divorce and family

Email Katharine
+44 20 7597 6188
View more

Insight

16 December 2021 | article

Christmas engagement? How to talk prenups

27 September 2021 | article

In the best interests of the animal: Have you considered a 'pet-nup'?

6 September 2021 | article

Prenuptial agreements – the importance of being consistent

21 December 2020 | article

Protecting your potential: a guide to pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements in England and Wales

20 August 2020 | article

Pre and post nuptial agreements – the Dos and Do Not's and their validity in Hong Kong

22 November 2019 | article

Arguments can damage relationships irreparably: it's time to break the cycle

Join the club

We have lots more news and information that you'll find informative and useful. Let us know what you're interested in and we'll keep you up to date on the issues that matter to you.

Sign up here

You may also be interested in

Banking and finance Residential real estate
Private client
Tax

Typical clients and industries include

Business man looking down at notebook by office window

Founders

Helping company founders to realise their vision is a hugely rewarding aspect of our work. From advising on tax or global expansion, to introducing you to investors, we’ll add value from the outset. Find Out More
Successful woman looking out of a car window

High net worth individuals

With complex interests that often span several jurisdictions, highly successful people need seamless advice. With a full-service offering across our offices around the world, we provide just that. Find Out More
Artist painting orange onto wooden board

Talent and creatives

We help leading figures from the worlds of sport, music, art and fashion to deal with the implications of their success – advising on everything from tax and trusts to sponsorship agreements. Find Out More

How else can we help?


We offer a full range of services to individuals and businesses.  Find out how we can help you solve challenges and maximize opportunities.

Find out more

Get in touch

Our website will give you a flavour of the advice we provide - if you would like to talk to us for more information, please contact our client services team who will be happy to assist.

Get in touch