What is a prenuptial agreement?

A prenuptial agreement, also known as a prenup, is a legal agreement made by a couple before they get married or enter into a civil partnership designed to protect them in the event of a separation. Here is what it means in England and Wales, what it costs and when to sign.

More than anything, prenups create an invaluable opportunity to talk openly about money and to agree what feels fair while you're both on the same page. At amicable, we help couples put a prenup in place together, for one fixed fee.

Why do couples get a prenup?

Every couple getting married can benefit from a prenup. From flowers and food to seating plans and setlists, planning a wedding involves making a lot of decisions together – and agreeing how you'll handle money is arguably one of the most important.

A prenup gives you:

• Clarity. Both you and your partner know exactly where you stand, with zero unspoken assumptions about money.
• Fairness, defined by you. Without an agreement, the law gives a court a framework to decide what’s fair for you in the event of a marriage ending. A prenup lets the two of you decide what's fair instead.
• Recognition. What you've each worked for, saved or been given is written down and acknowledged.
• Better conversations. Sharing your finances honestly sets a good habit for married life.

It might be particularly useful if:

• one of you owns a home, savings or a pension from before you met
• you're expecting an inheritance or family money is involved
• one of you runs a business
• you have children from a previous relationship
• you've been married before

What can a prenup cover?

A prenup can cover whatever matters most to you both. Most couples include:

• property you own now and any home you'll buy together
• savings, investments and pensions
• a business, or a share in one
• inheritances and gifts from family
• debts
• how you'll treat money you earn and save during the marriage
• spousal maintenance

Some couples keep certain things separate – often called 'ring-fencing' – while sharing everything else they build together.

How do you talk to your partner about a prenup?

For lots of couples, the hardest part is starting the conversation.

Of course, we know that no two relationships are the same. You may want to start with why it matters to you; maybe it's a home you've worked hard for, or simply a desire for things to be fair to you both. Then you can talk about what you'd each like to keep separate and what you'd like to share.

However you choose to broach the conversation (you know your partner best!), frame it as a conversation about your future together.

If it helps, you can join our free consultation together before deciding anything. If you’re too nervous to bring the subject up to your partner at this stage, then you can book a session as an individual and take the time to ask any questions you might have.

Are prenuptial agreements legally enforceable?

A nuptial agreement isn't automatically binding in England and Wales. However, you should expect the court to hold you to an agreement that is fair and properly made: you both shared your finances honestly, you each had your own independent legal advice, nobody felt pressured, and it was signed in good time before the wedding.

Whatever you agree, a court will always make sure the needs of any children are met.

That's why every amicable prenup includes full financial disclosure, independent legal advice for each of you and a deed that's signed and witnessed properly.

In June 2026, the Ministry of Justice consulted on 'qualifying nuptial agreements' that would be binding if certain conditions were met. The consultation closed on Friday 14th August 2026 and the government hasn't responded yet, so nothing has changed. The conditions it proposed closely follow what courts already look for.

When should you get a prenup?

It's best to start at least three months before your wedding. That gives you time to have the conversations without rushing or feeling pressure to commit to decisions before you’re ready.

Your agreement should be signed more than 28 days before the ceremony, so we tend to work backwards from your wedding date.

How does an amicable prenup work?

One dedicated Specialist works with you both from start to finish:

1. Book a free 15-minute consultation, alone or together.
2. Sign up and invite your partner.
3. Share your finances with each other.
4. Talk through what you'd like your agreement to say with your Specialist.
5. We draft your agreement as a deed. You each get advice from a different lawyer on our panel, so you both understand it fully, then you sign.

There are two ways to do it:

• Prenup Assisted is £1,390 inc VAT per couple, for couples who've already agreed what they want.
• Prenup Guided is £2,750 inc VAT per couple, for couples who'd like help working out the details, with three guided sessions.

Independent legal advice for each of you is included in both, and you can split the cost between you.

Summary: What is a prenuptial agreement?

Key takeaways

• Every couple getting married can benefit from a prenup.
• You should expect a court in England and Wales to hold you to a prenup that's fair and properly made.
• Start at least three months before the wedding, and sign more than 28 days before.
• amicable prenups cost £1,390 or £2,750 inc VAT per couple, with independent legal advice for each of you included.

Speak to a prenup specialist

Book a free 15-minute consultation to talk through what a prenup could look like for you, how long it takes and which option suits you both.

You can join the consultation alone or together.

FAQs about prenuptial agreements

Are prenuptial agreements binding in the UK?

In England and Wales, a prenup isn't automatically binding, but you should expect the court to hold you to one that's fair and properly made. amicable prenups are for couples in England and Wales, as Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.

How much does a prenuptial agreement cost in the UK?

With amicable, a prenup costs £1,390 inc VAT per couple with Prenup Assisted, or £2,750 inc VAT per couple with Prenup Guided. Both include independent legal advice for each of you. Elsewhere, costs vary depending on how complex your finances are and who prepares the agreement.

Can a prenuptial agreement be overturned?

You should expect the court to hold you to a prenup that's fair and properly made. A court may decide not to follow one, or only follow part of it, if finances weren't shared honestly, someone didn't have independent legal advice, someone felt pressured or it was signed too close to the wedding.

Can I get a prenuptial agreement after marriage?

Once you're married or in a civil partnership, you'd make a postnuptial agreement instead – also known as a postnup. It works in a very similar way, and amicable offers postnups at the same fixed fees.