Our postnuptial agreement solicitors help married couples and civil partners put a clear plan in place for their financial future. A postnuptial agreement, sometimes called a postnup, is a legal document drawn up after marriage or civil partnership. It sets out how assets, property, and finances would be divided if the relationship were to break down, covering everything from property and savings to pensions, business interests, and inheritance. In England and Wales, postnuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding. However, when they are properly drafted, with independent legal advice for both parties and full financial disclosure in place, they carry real weight with the courts and are often upheld.
From multi-million pound agreements involving complex asset structures to smaller agreements covering property and inheritance for children, our team is experienced across the full range of postnuptial matters. We will make sure both parties receive independent legal advice and that all financial disclosure is in place – two of the most important factors in any postnuptial agreement carrying weight with a court.
As the UK’s largest specialist family law firm, Stowe Family Law has the experience and reach to support you wherever you are. With over 90 offices across England and Wales, including London, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Sheffield, Bristol, and Cardiff, our specialist solicitors are always within reach. We have been ranked as a Leading Firm by both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners 2026, named in The Times Best Law Firms in 2026, and rated Excellent on Trustpilot. Our solicitors are members of Resolution and are fully authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
How long after marriage can you get a postnuptial agreement
You and your spouse can create a postnuptial agreement at any point during your marriage. As a ‘postnup’ covers the ownership of specific assets, and how they should be divided in the event of divorce, it is best to consider one during times of significant financial change.
How much does postnup cost?
Much like a prenup, the cost of a postnuptial agreement will vary depending on the complexity of your assets and the amount of legal advice you require. However, a postnup can provide protection down the line and can be a sensible financial investment.
Can I write my own postnuptial agreement?
According to the specific criteria that ensures a postnup can be considered by the court, it must be drafted by a lawyer and both parties must have received independent legal advice. To ensure you can satisfy the requirements and enable your agreement to be considered by the court, contact one of our specialist family lawyers.
Can a postnuptial agreement protect future assets
If you are expecting inheritance or a payout, even post-separation, a postnuptial agreement can help you protect your future assets. The same protections apply to future assets as current ones, so your partner will need to agree to the terms with a full understanding of what they entail.
Can postnups cover child related matters?
For both postnups and prenups, child-related matters such as custody and maintenance cannot be included. Maintenance is governed by the Child Maintenance Service, and any child arrangements will need to be agreed between you and your ex-partner at the time of separation or divorce. Should you not be able to agree, the family court will intervene in the best interests of your child.
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A divorce accountant puts a clear, defensible value on the assets in a marriage – from company shares and pension pots to income drawn from a family business. In England and Wales, their independent figures give both parties and the court something solid to work from. When the numbers grow complicated, this is often what keeps the process moving. Working closely with trusted accountants, our team makes certain the full financial picture stands up to scrutiny before anyone reaches an agreement.
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A prenuptial agreement records how a couple would divide their assets if the marriage were to end, and is signed before the wedding. Prenups aren’t automatically binding in England and Wales, though courts will usually respect one that’s fair, entered into freely, and drafted with care. Think of it less as planning to part and more as being honest early. Raising it with someone you love can feel awkward, and that reaction is entirely natural. Our solicitors handle the conversation with tact and prepare an agreement that reflects what you both truly intend.
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A financial settlement decides how money, property, pensions, and savings are shared once a marriage ends. Whether you reach it between yourselves or the court determines it, a consent order can make the terms legally binding. The detail here shapes your finances for years, so it repays getting right. Turning one shared life into two separate futures is rarely tidy, and money worries tend to sit heaviest. Nobody expects you to have every answer ready. Our solicitors explain what you may be entitled to and help you work toward an outcome you can build on.
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Mediation gives you and your former partner a way to settle finances, property, or arrangements for children without stepping into a courtroom. A trained, neutral mediator guides the discussion – they won’t take sides or impose a decision. In England and Wales, it’s frequently quicker and less expensive than litigation, and it often keeps relationships more workable afterwards. Sitting across from someone while feelings are still raw can be difficult, but a little preparation changes everything. Our team can help you arrive clear about your position, steady in yourself, and ready to talk.
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Divorce is the legal process that formally ends a marriage in England and Wales. Since the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020, no-fault divorce means neither person has to prove wrongdoing or lay blame to apply. It runs from the first application through to the final order, usually alongside decisions about finances and children. Few decisions carry the weight this one does, and no two situations look the same. Wherever you find yourself in it, you’re owed calm, honest advice. Our lawyers talk you through your options and let you set the pace.
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Divorce becomes high net worth when the assets are substantial or genuinely complex: Operating businesses, investment portfolios, overseas property, or trust structures. Cases like these call for careful valuation, complete disclosure, and often the input of tax and financial experts. Confidentiality tends to matter as much as accuracy, but our solicitors recognise this. Our team works alongside forensic accountants to pair legal skill with financial insight so nothing significant slips out of view.
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Living together doesn’t grant couples in England and Wales the rights that marriage does, and ‘common-law marriage’ has no legal standing at all. When an unmarried relationship ends, the sticking points are usually who owns the property and how children will be cared for. Understanding your position early can spare you potential hardship later. Our lawyers set out where you stand plainly and help you safeguard your home and your family.
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A postnuptial agreement can be put in place at any point during a marriage. For example, shortly after the wedding, following a significant life change, or simply when the time feels right for both of you. What matters most is that both parties enter into it freely, with a clear picture of their financial position and a full understanding of what they are agreeing to.
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements are similar in purpose: Both seek to establish the ownership of assets (including money, property, and belongings) and set out what should happen to them if the relationship ends. The key difference is timing. A prenuptial agreement is agreed before marriage, whereas a postnuptial agreement is drawn up at any point afterwards.
The court will also consider the length of the relationship and each party’s financial position at the time. This means it is worth revisiting a postnuptial agreement if your circumstances change significantly.
Our lawyers are experienced in advising on and drafting postnuptial agreements of all kinds. They will guide you through the process clearly and at your pace, so you can make informed decisions about your financial future.
There is no single reason why couples decide to draw up a postnuptial agreement. It is often a practical decision, made at a moment of change or reflection. Common reasons include:
Whatever your reason, the important thing is that both parties feel comfortable with the process and are not under any pressure to agree to terms they are not happy with.
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As postnuptial agreements are not automatically legally binding in England and Wales, they can be set aside by a court if they are found to be unfair to one party. It is therefore important to approach the process carefully.
Both parties must receive independent legal advice before signing any contract. This is a safeguard that ensures each person fully understands what they are agreeing to, and that neither has been placed under pressure to accept terms they are uncomfortable with.
It is also worth remembering that a postnuptial agreement reflects your circumstances at the time it is drawn up. Significant life changes, such as having children, receiving an inheritance, or acquiring new assets, may affect how fair the agreement appears in the future. Revisiting and updating a postnuptial agreement periodically is a sensible step.
While pre and post-nups are not automatically binding in England & Wales, they are heavily persuasive and will likely be upheld by the court where needs are met, accurate disclosure and both parties have had legal advice.
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Postnuptial agreements in England and Wales are not automatically legally binding, but courts take them seriously. Where both parties received independent legal advice, provided full financial disclosure, and entered into the agreement freely, it is likely to carry real weight – and may well be upheld.
The rules differ in Scotland, where postnuptial agreements can be legally binding depending on the conditions.
A prenuptial agreement is drawn up before a couple marries or enters into a civil partnership. A postnuptial agreement is drawn up for couples who are already married or in a civil partnership.
Postnuptial agreements can also be worth considering where a prenuptial agreement was never put in place, or where one exists but your financial circumstances have changed substantially since it was drawn up.
If a couple has a prenup, a postnuptial agreement is not usually necessary unless financial circumstances change dramatically. If either party receives an inheritance or acquires any significant assets, it is wise to revisit any previous agreement.
Not usually. If you have a prenuptial agreement in place, a postnuptial agreement is unlikely to be necessary unless your financial circumstances have changed substantially since the prenuptial agreement was drafted. If either party has received a significant inheritance or acquired new assets, it is worth reviewing any existing agreement with your lawyer.
Having a specialist solicitor involved is important, both for the quality of the agreement and for its standing in any future proceedings. A lawyer can make sure the agreement is fair, legally sound, and properly reflects your circumstances – and that both parties have had the independent advice they need.
Our postnuptial agreement solicitors take a friendly, tailored approach and will make the process as straightforward as possible.
A cohabitation agreement might be suitable for couples who are not married or in a civil union but are living together. It can help protect financial assets and set out arrangements for children should the relationship break down. This is particularly important when one partner has contributed more to a property or where there are unequal assets.
Our postnuptial agreement solicitors are recognised for helping couples protect their financial interests after marriage or civil partnership. We are highly regarded by Legal 500 and Chambers for our expertise in complex financial planning and family law matters.
In 2026, our regional rankings include:
Yorkshire: Band 2 chambers & Tier 2 Legal 500: Beverley, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Ilkley, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Sheffield, Wetherby, York
East Midlands: Band 2 chambers: Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Nottingham, Peterborough, Stamford
West Midlands: Tier 2 Legal 500: Birmingham, Leamington Spa, Lichfield, Solihull
North East: Band 2 chambers: Durham, Newcastle, North Shields, Sunderland
South East: Tier 2 Legal 500: Berkhamsted, Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, St Albans
Wales: Tier 2 Legal 500: Cardiff, Swansea
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