Postnuptial Agreement Lawyers Glasgow, Scotland

A postnuptial agreement is an agreement between spouses or civil partners that regulates the couple’s assets and affairs in the event of separation. Unlike prenuptial agreements, which are perhaps more widely known about, a postnuptial agreement is entered into after the formal union (marriage or partnership) of the couple.

We offer specialist postnuptial legal advice to the following:

• Postnuptial Agreements for Business Owners
• Postnuptial Agreements for Celebrities
• Postnuptial Agreements for High Net Worth Clients
• Postnuptial Agreements for Self-Employed

Postnuptial agreements can be very useful. They allow couples to protect their assets and make sure that, in the event of a separation, they have made plans for how their property will be divided. It is often wise to come to such an agreement when the relationship remains amicable, to avoid lengthy court battles and bitter disputes in the event that the relationship breaks down.

In addition, a postnuptial agreement provides a flexible way for couples to arrange their affairs as they see fit. In the event of a separation, if no pre or postnuptial agreement has been made, the law provides a default position for how a family’s assets should be split.

Under section 9 of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985, the matrimonial property of a couple should be divided fairly. Section 10 of the 1985 Act makes it clear that the ‘fair’ division of assets will often mean an equal share for each couple, unless there are special circumstances that require otherwise. The law recognises that such ‘special circumstances’ may include the situation where a couple have come to their own agreement. Acknowledging that every family is different, therefore, Scots law allows couples to make the arrangements that are most suitable for them under a postnuptial agreement.

Scots law allows couples to make so-called ‘marriage contracts’. This includes both prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. The confusion that has been caused in this area largely stems from the English position. While Scots law has always been willing to consider marriage contracts, for a long time the English courts said that contracts between spouses purporting to regulate their assets in the event of a separation were contrary to public policy. More recently, however, the English courts have also decided that they will recognise postnuptial agreements, so long as it is fair to do so (Radmacher v Granatino [2010] UKSC 42).

Many couples find that having a postnuptial agreement gives them peace of mind. However, while marital contracts can be useful for all couples, they are particularly important in some specific situations. It is particularly advisable to make a postnuptial agreement where:

• One party is likely to receive family wealth in the course of the marriage. If it is important that this wealth remains with the partner who received it, a postnuptial agreement may be valuable;
• The parties to the marriage or partnership have unequal wealth or one has acquired substantial amounts of property in the course of the marriage;
• One of the parties has been married before, particularly where he or she has children. Previous marriages involving children make the division of property particularly complicated. If the couple separates, one party may wish to guarantee that his or her earnings do not go to the other partner’s children from a previous marriage under a Will or upon death. Ring-fencing assets under a postnuptial agreement is an effective way to ensure this.

A postnuptial agreement is a contract - if it is validly executed, it will be binding on the parties. However, a postnuptial agreement will usually involve an attempt to ring-fence matrimonial assets. As such, under Scots law, it is possible to challenge a postnuptial agreement under section 16 of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 1985. Under that provision, a court has the discretion to vary or set aside such an agreement if it does not consider it to be fair and reasonable.

As such, it is possible to challenge a postnuptial agreement in court, although it should be noted that the Scottish courts have demonstrated a willingness to uphold prenuptial and postnuptial agreements. In the case of Gillon v Gillon 1995 SLT 678, for example, the court noted that judges should not be too ready to interfere with the agreement of the parties. Moreover, the court made it clear that the fact that the agreement led to highly unequal shares of property in the event of separation, that did not mean that the agreement was necessarily unfair.

Under English law, the focus of the courts is on whether or not the agreement would lead to a fair result, considering all the circumstances at the time of the divorce. Under Scots law, however, the courts are more concerned with whether the agreement was made under fair circumstances at the time. If the party made an informed decision at the time of the agreement, without undue influence or pressure, then the unequal agreement they entered into will nonetheless be binding.

Postnuptial agreements can help couples manage their assets in the event of a separation. However, as outlined above, they are not beyond legal challenge. If you are considering entering a postnuptial agreement it is vital that you get legal advice. Doing so, and ensuring that the other party to the agreement has also had independent legal advice, can help insulate any agreement from future challenge. Furthermore, a solicitor will be able to help draft an agreement. This helps to ensure that all the relevant assets are covered and will guarantee that the document uses clear and precise legal terminology.

As well as specialising in matters concerning Postnuptial Agreements we offer a full range of Family Law services.

"Thank you for everything you have done it has been good to know I was in safe hands, long bumpy road but we got there in the end." - Anonymous.

"I want to express my thanks to you for your support and guidance over the past year, I really do appreciate it. In particular your continued support over the difficult weekends to re-assure me, was invaluable to my sanity! "- Anonymous.

"Your assistance has given me peace of mind throughout. I appreciate your consideration during a difficult time for me. You have been very helpful." - Anonymous.

"Since our last conversation I've seen *A* on all arranged dates and been given extra time with her. Thanks for your help in getting me back in touch with my daughter and your professional service, I would certainly recommend Miller Samuel Hill Brown to anyone in my position." - Anonymous.

"Thank you so much for your support and hard work in finally drawing matters to a close. It has been a long and sometimes difficult journey and the end now has been worthwhile. I would not have been able to continue without your guidance and I shall forever remember you for that. I would have no hesitation in recommending you for the work you have done and shall indeed should the need arise come directly to you for that in future." - Anonymous.

"The Family Law Department handled my situation phenomenally. I had no doubt that I could count on them to do everything they could to ensure the best outcome for me. They were good listeners and very reliable. This was particularly impressive since they were supporting me internationally. I would highly recommend Miller Samuel Hill Brown in the future." - Anonymous.

“You made (the process) seem very straightforward and simple for me and that was excellent” - Anonymous.