Law Commission recommends pre-nups legislation - Palmers Solicitors
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Law Commission recommends pre-nups legislation

The Law Commission, which reviews areas of the law that have become too complicated, outdated or unfair and proposes reforms to the government, has recommended that pre-nuptial agreements, enabling couples to set out in advance how their assets are divided if their marriage or civil partnership breaks down, should be given legal force.

In a report published dated 27 February the Law Commission suggested that “qualifying nuptial agreements” should become enforceable contracts.

Pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and separation agreements, which the Commission calls “marital property agreements”, are not currently enforceable but the courts can take them into account when deciding what financial orders to make and in recent years have been more willing to do so.

The report calls for legislation to be put in place to introduce “qualifying nuptial agreements”. The Commission said: “These would be enforceable contracts, not subject to the scrutiny of the courts, which would enable couples to make binding arrangements about the financial consequences of divorce or dissolution.

“In order for an agreement to be a ‘qualifying’ nuptial agreement, certain procedural safeguards would have to be met. Qualifying agreements could not, however, be used by the parties to contract out of meeting the financial needs of each other and of any children.”

The Commission said that in making its recommendation, it had “particular sympathy with those who wish to ensure that inherited or gifted property, or property generated before the relationship began, will be excluded from the sharing exercise provided that the other party’s needs are met and children are adequately provided for.”

Requirements for an agreement to be regarded as qualifying include both parties receiving legal advice when it is made, the agreement not being made within the 28 days immediately before the wedding or civil partnership ceremony and that both parties share information about their financial situations when they make the agreement.

Surjit Verdi, said: “Every couple and their circumstances are different so for some, a prenuptial agreement would never be an option while others people might not even consider entering a marriage without one.

“Whilst we must wait and see if the government takes forward the Law Commission’s recommendations, for anyone considering a marital property agreement, independent advice from a specialist family lawyer is crucial. For more information, please contact our Family Law team.”