Recent high-profile marriages and divorces have reignited conversations around the growing need for prenuptial agreements as an “increasingly important tool” for those looking to safeguard their pre-marital wealth ahead of entering into a marriage.
A key example from Netflix’s Love is Blind UK has added fuel to the debate. Fans were shocked when contestant Freddie Powell demanded a prenuptial agreement from his fiancée Catherine Richards before walking down the aisle, highlighting a growing trend among millennials to protect their assets.
As more people marry later in life or enter second marriages, prenuptial agreements are becoming increasingly common. Millennials, in particular, are keen to shield the wealth they’ve worked hard to build before saying “I do.” This movement reflects a desire for financial control and security amidst changing social dynamics.
The conversation around prenups is also being thrust into the spotlight by celebrity divorces. Jennifer Lopez has reportedly filed for divorce from Ben Affleck after two years of marriage. However, sources suggest the couple didn’t sign a prenuptial agreement—potentially complicating their multi-million-dollar separation.
Partner and Head of Family Law at Payne Hicks Beach Nick Manners comments on the impact of high profile couples not putting in place pre-nuptial agreements ahead of relationship breakdowns:
“Pre-nuptial agreements have become an increasingly important tool for those looking to safeguard their pre-marital wealth ahead of entering into marriage. Whilst some may consider them unromantic, they actually provide a degree of certainty which can give both parties comfort as their married life begins.
They provide an insurance policy should the relationship fail, reducing costly legal disputes in the future, encouraging openness about financial affairs and most importantly, ensuring that any children of the marriage are always well looked after.”
Katie Lowry, Managing Partner of specialist family law firm Lowrie Legal, also said that having a prenuptial agreement is “essential when there is wealth to protect”. She continued:
“Without one, you’re at the mercy of matrimonial law, and the financially stronger party may find themselves in a vulnerable position, especially if they are unaware of which state’s laws will apply.
In high-profile cases like this one, the financially dominant person may have already sought legal advice to navigate the most advantageous course of action. In England and Wales, while prenups aren’t fully binding, if executed correctly, they carry substantial weight.
I always tell my clients, ‘You insure your house, your car, your business—why not safeguard your wealth against the breakdown of your marriage?’ With the right legal advice, full financial disclosure, and a fair agreement, the courts will likely uphold it. It’s simply smart to protect your hard-earned empire.”
