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Planning a future together is exciting, but it is also a good time to make sure you are both protected. Whether you are getting married, entering a civil partnership, or moving in with a partner, having the right agreements in place means that if things ever do change, you are not left in a difficult position.
At Painters Law LLP, our family law solicitors offer clear, practical advice on prenuptial and cohabitation agreements. Our family solicitors in Worcestershire have been helping clients across Kidderminster, Stourport, and the wider West Midlands for over 70 years, and we will take the time to understand your situation before recommending anything.
A prenuptial agreement, or prenup, is a document you and your partner put in place before getting married or entering a civil partnership. It sets out how your assets, finances, and property would be divided if the relationship ever broke down.
In England and Wales, prenups are not automatically legally binding, but they carry real weight in court when they have been properly drafted. Many couples find that having this conversation early, and getting it in writing, actually brings them closer together. It removes uncertainty and means both of you are on the same page from the start.
And no, prenups are not just for celebrities or the very wealthy. If you own a home, have savings, run a business, or want to protect assets you plan to leave to children from a previous relationship, a prenup is worth considering.
Every couple’s situation is different, but a prenup will typically address:
Not automatically, but that does not mean they are not worth having. Courts in England and Wales will give serious consideration to a prenup if both partners had independent legal advice, both fully disclosed their finances, and the agreement was signed at least 28 days before the wedding. When those boxes are ticked, a well-drafted prenup is a very strong safeguard. Our solicitors will make sure yours is put together properly.
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A cohabitation agreement, sometimes called a living together agreement, is the unmarried couple’s equivalent of a prenup. It sets out what each of you owns, how you share costs, and what would happen to your home and finances if you separated.
Here is something a lot of people do not realise: there is no such thing as a “common law marriage” in England and Wales. No matter how long you have lived together, cohabiting couples have no automatic legal rights over each other’s property or finances. That can come as a real shock if a relationship breaks down, especially if one partner has made significant financial contributions to a shared home.
A cohabitation agreement changes that. It gives both of you clarity and protection without any drama or assumptions.
A cohabitation agreement can cover:
More couples than ever in the UK are choosing to live together without getting married, but the law has not kept pace with that reality. Without a cohabitation agreement, a separation can quickly become complicated and expensive, even when both parties want to be fair to each other. A simple, clear agreement drawn up now takes the uncertainty out of the equation.
If you are planning to marry or enter a civil partnership, a prenuptial agreement is the right route. If you are moving in together without plans to marry, a cohabitation agreement gives you the same core protection.
Some couples do both, for example, putting a cohabitation agreement in place when they move in together, then updating it to a prenuptial agreement when they get engaged. Our solicitors will talk through your situation and help you work out what makes sense for you. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, and we will never push you towards something you do not need.
We are firm believers in transparent pricing; you should always know what you are paying before anything gets started. We offer fixed fees for both prenuptial and cohabitation agreements, with the exact cost depending on how straightforward or complex your financial picture is.
Get in touch with our family law solicitors, and we will give you a clear, no-obligation quote. There are no hidden charges and no surprises.
We are a firm that people come back to - and recommend to their friends and family. Our local family solicitors are experienced, approachable, and genuinely invested in getting the right outcome for you.
You do not have to have everything figured out before you call us. Whether you want to understand your options, get a quote, or simply ask a few questions, we are happy to have that conversation.
Call us on 01562 822 295 (Kidderminster) or 01299 822 033 (Stourport), or fill in our contact form and we will be in touch to arrange a time that suits you.
Cohabiting means living together without marriage or a civil partnership.We help couples protect their rights.
This agreement protects unmarried couples' property and finances. Painters Law provides legally sound cohabitation agreements.
Yes, while not legally binding, courts consider them if properly drafted. We ensure prenups meet legal standards.
Yes, prenups can be updated with legal assistance. We ensures they remain valid.
A prenuptial agreement outlines how assets will be divided in the event of a divorce. Painters Law drafts legally enforceable prenups.
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