One in ten who tied the knot wish they had insisted their partner sign a pre-nuptial agreement, according to a new survey.
Once the preserve of the rich and famous, pre-nups are apparently enjoying an increase in popularity.
A survey of 1,000 men and women from across England found 10.1 per cent of people regretted not signing a pre-nup, with the other partner ‘refusing’ to enter into a pre-marital contract being the most common reason given for not having one.
A further 2.2 per cent said they were too ‘nervous’ to ask their husband or wife. Meanwhile, 3 per cent said they wanted to get a pre-nup but simply didn’t know how to go about arranging one.
Regionally, London was found to be the epicentre of pre-nup regret. Almost one in five men and women polled rued the decision not to sign one with 8.6 per cent admitting their partner had ‘refused’ to enter into it.
A further 5.4 per cent said they were ‘too nervous’ to raise the subject with their future spouse.
The South West of England was found to be the most trusting and contented region when it came to married bliss. Just 2.4 per cent of respondents regretted not having signed a pre-nup. Those in East Anglia – 39.8 per cent – were the happiest with not having a pre-nup. However, the North West has emerged as a pre-nup hot-spot. Roughly one in 20 people have already entered-in to a contract before getting married.
The data also highlighted a difference of opinion over pre-nups between the sexes, with women the more likely to want one. Overall, 12.7 per cent of women polled regretted not having one, compared to 7.2 per cent of men.
Overall, 10.9 per cent said they did not regret shunning a pre-wedding contact as they find them to be ‘unromantic.’
According to the Office for National Statistics, 42 per cent of marriages in England and Wales end in divorce. It is also estimated that 34 per cent of marriages are expected to end in divorce by the 20th wedding anniversary.
In February 2014, The Law Commission report, ‘Matrimonial Property, Needs and Agreements’, recommended that pre-marital agreements should be considered legally binding.
Surjit Verdi, a family law specialist with Palmers said: ‘We have experienced increased demand for pre-nups. At one time they were seen as the preserve of Hollywood celebrities but nowadays they are seen as a prudent measure, particularly given that a contentious divorce can not only be traumatic but costly and that many couples are now marrying (whether for the first time or not) later in life by which time one or both of them may have amassed significant assets of their own.”
For more information on advice regarding pre-nuptial agreements and all aspects of family law, please contact us.