I’m being asked a sign a prenup a day before my wedding
In England and Wales, a shotgun prenup like this is less likely to be effective than one signed by you at least 28 days before the wedding. Take urgent legal advice around what to do.
For more information and insights on Family Law please visit our Family Law info hub.
Similar FAQs
It is a matter for you. If you would prefer to keep it secret, then there is no need to, however you may feel more comfortable opening up to close family members about the fact you are being asked to enter into one as they can offer help for support.
Yes, although your fiance or their solicitor has drafted the prenup, you still need advice about it to make sure that you understand its terms and that it has the effect that you would like it to. The implications of a prenup can be serious, and you should to talk to us about this.
Yes. You need to understand the implications of entering into it. Also, if you don’t take advice, it is less likely the prenup will carry weight in the unlikely event of there being a divorce. A solicitor will help you understand whether a prenup is appropriate, and what it should say to best protect your position.
There are several alternatives that can be looked at depending on your situation. Outright gifts or transfers ahead of the marriage, deeds of trust or even postponing the marriage are sometimes looked at by people in that situation.
For more information and insights on Family Law please visit our Family Law info hub.
Some families insist on prenups being entered into before a wedding. If someone has been through a difficult divorce, it is understandable they might want to avoid any repeat of that and protect themselves against the same thing happening, as unlikely as that is.
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Team Leader
Andrew Barton
Andrew is a partner specialising in the financial aspects of relationship breakdown. Named as a leader in his field in the Chambers and Partners guide to the legal profession and recommended in Legal 500 UK, Andrew specialises in high value and complex financial work on divorce. This includes specialist advice around claims against company assets, the division of pensions, tax and valuation, claims against trusts, and dynastic/inheritance issues. Many of Andrew’s cases involve international elements, to include claims against overseas property and disputes over forum/jurisdiction.
Andrew is listed in the Chambers High Net Worth guide for the representation he provides to business owners and other high net worth individuals in divorce and financial remedy proceedings
Recognised in the CityWealth Leaders List – an international guide to the most recommended and highly regarded figures in private wealth management for ultra-high net worth private clients. He is also listed in the 2025 Doyles Guide as a Preeminent leading family and divorce lawyer.
He attended University in Birmingham and qualified as a solicitor in 2003. He is a member of Resolution, an organisation of family law professionals committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes.
His recent work includes:
- Representing a client on a choice of forum dispute between New Zealand and England
- Removing a worldwide freezing injunction for a husband concerned around its impact on his company interests
- Representing the beneficiary of a dynastic trust and partnership against a former spouse’s claims
- Drafting and negotiating a group of nuptial agreements protecting shareholder spouses from future claims on divorce
- Successfully restricting a former spouse’s claim against a large portfolio of international properties.
- Negotiating a financial settlement that included provision for the breakdown and valuation of musician royalties.
Outside of work, Andrew enjoys spending time with his family, cycling and playing modern jazz piano.
Andrew is listed as a Leading Lawyer by Wiselaw.