Protecting Wealth with a Postnuptial Agreement
Postnuptial Agreement Lawyers London
The number of couples seeking to enter into a post-nuptial agreement is increasing. Our specialist post-nuptial agreement lawyers have all the necessary experience in negotiating and drafting a 'postnup' document during what can be quite a tense time for couple.
A strong marriage will have to withstand ‘for better and for worse’ if it is to last, and after the honeymoon is over the relationship will have to ride numerous ups and downs and changes in circumstances. Sometimes such challenges to a relationship might jeopardise current or future wealth and it may be advisable to consider a post-nuptial agreement.
This is a formalised legal contract between spouses or civil partners to deal with how assets and liabilities would be divided in a financial settlement should a future divorce or separation occur. Unlike a prenuptial agreement, this agreement is entered into during the course of your marriage or civil partnership.
The main benefit of a post-nuptial agreement is that it provides a couple with certainty and clarity on what would happen if their relationship breaks down, saving costs and time in court proceedings. An agreement can be used to stipulate not only what will happen to assets, but also liabilities.
A postnuptial agreement can be very flexible in the issues it covers. We have experience in securing privacy for our high-profile clients by including non-disclosure clauses. Additionally, if there is the possibility of an international divorce, which may be due to one or both of you previously having lived abroad or being foreign nationals that re-located to the UK, then we can specify that you intend for any divorce proceedings that may arise to be taken in the UK. This may shield you from harsh foreign laws over division of assets and save any lengthy legal battles over which country a divorce should occur in. This will be subject to you meeting the jurisdiction requirements in the UK which are discussed further here international divorce.
When might a post-nuptial agreement be beneficial?
A postnuptial agreement may be beneficial whenever there is a significant change in circumstances within a marriage or civil partnership which has potentially risky financial consequences. For example:
a married couple might wish to move to London for work or business purposes, and there may be concerns over the impact of an English divorce settlement compared to their home country;
the parents of one spouse may wish to transfer wealth to the next generation as part of their succession planning but wish to safeguard the gift in the event of a future divorce;
similarly, parents or grandparents may insist on an agreement before gifting money to help purchase property;
a high-earning spouse may decide to give up or reduce their earning potential to look after children and wish this to be recognised in any future financial settlement;
- where joint assets are put forward as security when one partner wishes to borrow money to invest in a business or venture;
- when gambling or excessive spending has become a problem for one person and is creating conflict in a relationship;
- when one person wishes to get divorced, but the other wants to negotiate a second chance;
- when making arrangements for a formal separation prior to divorce; or
- where you want to make arrangements for children from previous relationships by leaving assets to them, a post nuptial agreement can safeguard those assets from a divorce.
With more than forty per cent of marriages ending in divorce in the UK, while it is hoped that you will not have to refer to a post-nuptial agreement, having one in place can provide peace of mind.
When is a post-nup a good idea?
A post nuptial agreement can be used at any point during a marriage or civil partnership. If you are considering one, we recommend you seek early expert advice so that if your circumstances should suddenly change you will be protected.
How to ensure your post-nup is valid
- Post-nuptial agreements are not yet legally binding in England. However, the courts have shown that they will enforce the terms if the agreement has been entered into freely and is fair. To ensure that is the case there are a number of requirements that must be met, which are:
- you have each taken independent legal advice on your rights and the implications of the agreement;
- there has been a full disclosure of all assets and liabilities;
- the agreement allows for future family changes, such as what will happen if/when the family expands, or if
- someone becomes seriously ill and unable to work; and
- neither of you have been unduly pressurised into signing
The agreement also needs to reflect a fair outcome given the circumstances and duration of the marriage or civil partnership. Our team of expert lawyers has vast experience in this area of law and can advise you on the technical requirements needed to enable your agreement to be upheld by a court
What to expect from our lawyers
We are conscious that this can be a delicate subject for many couples. We have expert matrimonial solicitors in London who will handle your case sensitively.
One of our expert lawyers will talk to you about your circumstances and your objectives, and will advise you on the steps needed, including what financial disclosure you will have to make. Getting this information together quickly will help expediate your case.
We will then liaise with your partner’s lawyer and draft an agreement reflecting what you both agree, ensuring all formalities are followed. Our team of expert lawyers has vast experience in helping wealthy individuals, including expats, elite athletes and celebrities, to reach an agreement which provides peace of mind in regard to the financial implications of a divorce.
We will advise you on the technical requirements needed to enable your agreement to be upheld by a court, and we will deal with your case sensitively to ensure no ill feelings.
Your next step
Obtaining early legal advice is vital when entering a post-nuptial agreement, as delay could mean you are vulnerable if circumstances should change suddenly. We will usually be able to offer a fixed fee quotation, so there would be no hidden costs or nasty surprises.
Osbornes is vastly experienced and able to think around the issues and consider them in a new and refreshing way
Osbornes is a really good team that gives a first-class service which is both sensible and insightful but also supportive of the client's needs.
Osbornes Law offers affluent clients representation in high-value, complex family matters.
They are uniquely placed to cater for every avenue of family legal difficulty, whether financial or children.
Osbornes has one of the strongest family law teams in the business with a very wide range of experience and seniority
Osbornes has incredible strength in depth across every area of family law, from public law children and child abduction proceedings, through to adoption and surrogacy, and private client work.
Areas of expertise for the group span from unravelling complicated trusts and handling pre-acquired wealth, to Children Act proceedings and advising on the financial provision for children
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"Osbornes Law have a very broad family practice which does all areas of family law at a high level. They have an excellent practice; they are top quality across the board."
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"The team are all eminently approachable and down to earth, committed, hardworking and who support their clients in a very effective, pragmatic way."
"Osbornes offers an excellent family law service spanning the wide range of disputes that may arise, in relation both to children and finances."
"A family team that is able to offer the highest level of expertise across the family law spectrum from high-net-worth finances through to care proceedings and children matters."
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"It has a strong and experienced team of solicitors who don’t take bad points, work sensibly to get a settlement and who you can always pick up the phone and speak to. They are good lawyers and know the strengths and weaknesses of their clients’ cases. They don’t posture and always pursue their clients cases appropriately. "
Mark Freedman frequently takes on high-value financial and children proceedings that involve complex tax, trust and accounting issues. Sources praise the "tenacity and common sense" he brings to challenging disputes.
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[The Family Law department] handles significant matrimonial finance cases and complex nuptial agreements. Respected for its expertise in cross-border children law matters.
This team is perhaps best known for its children work, often involving complex international dynamics.
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