Despite increasing awareness of financial planning, the vast majority of UK couples are still choosing to forgo prenuptial agreements before marriage or civil partnerships, new research suggests.
A recent study commissioned by Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management found that nearly nine in ten couples (89%) do not have a prenuptial agreement in place. This lack of legal preparation leaves many at risk of significant financial and emotional strain should their relationship break down.
The research revealed stark generational differences in attitudes toward prenups. Among younger couples aged 18–34, 60% have chosen not to create a legal agreement before getting married. This number rises dramatically to 89% among those aged 35–54. For couples aged 55 and older, prenups are almost non-existent—99% of them have never arranged one.
The most common reason given for not having a prenup is optimism: 32% of respondents said they don’t believe separation is likely. This sentiment was widespread among older couples, where over a third shared this belief. Meanwhile, younger couples were slightly more cautious, with 24% feeling similarly.
Other reasons cited included:
- A desire to share all assets equally (17%),
- A lack of concern over asset division (16%),
- Belief that open communication is sufficient (15%)
- Concern that a prenup could signal mistrust (15%)
Perhaps more concerning, 10% of respondents stated they had never even heard of a prenuptial agreement, indicating a broader lack of public understanding about the topic.
Christine Ross from Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management stressed the importance of having open and honest conversations about financial planning, especially before marriage.
Ross explains that discussing prenups can seem awkward or even confrontational, but ultimately, they are about protection, not just assets, but of the partner’s future financial well-being.
Among couples who have created a prenup, 31% said they did so for peace of mind. Others cited reasons such as protecting personal assets, avoiding lengthy legal disputes, or safeguarding one partner from the other’s financial liabilities.
Encouragingly, Ross noted that entrepreneurs and business owners are leading the way by taking steps to shield their companies from potential fallout. There’s also a growing trend of parents encouraging their children to think proactively about financial protection before entering serious relationships.
Still, the overall data reveals a significant gap in awareness and action when it comes to prenups in the UK. Ross concluded that with so many couples unprotected, it’s clear that more education and guidance are needed. Professional advice can help couples build not just financial security, but trust and clarity for the road ahead.
