A prenup acts as an “insurance policy”, reducing uncertainty and potential conflict if you break up. Nobody wants to spend their wedding planning thinking about divorce, but prenups give clarity and communication. Here are my five top tips.

Discuss your intentions openly and honestly
Have an honest discussion with your partner to discuss intentions and expectations. You may wish to consider which assets to put in to protect as yours. Agree which assets to share, and provisions made in the event of a relationship breakdown. Think about how future changes in circumstances might affect the agreement. For example, if career paths change, or if you have or adopt children. These factors can influence your prenup because they impact your finances.

Seek independent legal advice in good time
This can take three to six months and depends on the complexity of the agreement. Will you openly disclose everything you have with each other and your solicitor? Or will you seek advice from other professionals such as financial advisors? It is often not a quick process, so seek legal advice as early as possible. This will enable plenty of time to finalise matters before your wedding.

Ensure that the document records your agreement 
Typically, one of you instructs a solicitor to prepare a draft prenup, and the other instruct a solicitor to review it. It is common for the document to go through several revisions. This is to ensure the terms are balanced, and reflect what both have agreed. Try not to be alarmed if it takes longer than you expect. The purpose is to create a fair arrangement that both parties feel comfortable with.

Implement any necessary provisions
Many prenups include provisions that require you to take practical steps once you sign the document. For example, the agreement may stipulate how you should own property. It may direct you to put insurance policies in place to protect income or assets, or require you to prepare or update your Wills. Your solicitor will advise you on the practical steps to consider once you sign your prenup; it is important that you deal with these as soon as possible.

Remember to review the agreement
Do not view a prenup as a document you cannot change. Review the agreement periodically — usually every five years — to ensure it still reflects your financial circumstances and family situation. This keeps the agreement relevant and fair, helping it carry more decisive weight if you dispute matters in court upon separation. Strictly speaking, the current law in England and Wales does not make prenups legally binding. However, if you meet certain criteria — such as ensuring the agreement is fair, and entering it freely without undue influence — the court will give it decisive weight if your relationship breaks down.

Planning a wedding shouldn’t mean planning for a divorce, but your financial security is hugely important. The earlier you think about it, the better.

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Cover tricky topics first 

“Having those difficult conversations about money, political leaning, beliefs and values in the early stages can build a much more solid foundation moving forward. Discuss these things as they come up. As society changes, there may well be more areas of controversy for individuals. Remember, some conflict is healthy, as long as you know your relationship is the priority.”

Be curious

“Ask your partner questions about their values and beliefs. Not only will this help you understand their perspective, but it shows you’re interested in who they are as a person, even if you disagree with their opinions. Being curious helps reduce prejudice and will make your discussions less argumentative and more open.”

Rebuild after conflict

“We all know the saying ‘never let the sun go down on your anger’. It is very tempting to get stuck on how right you are and how wrong they are, so take some time and space to yourselves before coming back together. You don’t need to revisit your conversation at this stage, but offering an apology and genuinely listening to your partner rebuilds trust. Try not to apportion blame.”

Know when to let go

“Sometimes in navigating difficult conversations it can be hard to see an end point and you and your partner are going round in circles. However, taking a moment to ask yourself whether this is worth the fight, especially if you’ve both been able to communicate your perspectives. Ask yourself: ‘do I want to die on that particular hill?’ and ‘what is my priority here?'”

Understand your next steps

“Often conflict over difficult topics can reveal deeper cracks in a relationship: grudges, unresolved hurt or simply having drifted apart. If this is the case, it might be time to discuss separation or divorce. If you’re unsure on whether to take this step, you can get a Separation Agreement for a period of trial separation. This is a formal (although not legally binding) document that sets out what will happen to your joint assets, including your money and any property, whilst you are separated. It can also define each person’s responsibilities, like who pays the mortgage, and any child arrangements. And, if you do decide to divorce, non-court dispute resolution methods such as mediation can help maintain an amicable relationship and build a more positive foundation for the future.”

The post Hold On or Let Go When it Comes to a Rocky Road in Your Marriage appeared first on Best of Living.

The innovative and passionate approach to legal problems

Fitz Solicitors is a boutique law firm that offers personalised legal support for individuals, families and businesses. Established in 2006 and based within easy reach of London, the team covers a wide range of legal areas — including commercial law, family matters, litigation, property and immigration.

With a client-first approach, Fitz Solicitors delivers expertise with clarity and care. Their team takes the time to build trusted relationships, offering practical solutions tailored to your situation. Whether it’s business planning or personal protection, they provide reassuring legal support every step of the way.

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Revolutionising divorce paperwork

By Personal Touch offers an intuitive online platform that simplifies the completion of Financial Consent Orders and Child Arrangement Orders for couples who’ve reached mutual agreements post-separation. Their fixed-price service is designed to support both parties efficiently and affordably.

Backed by expert support, the user-friendly portal helps eliminate legal jargon and unnecessary delays. Trusted by family mediators and rated highly by clients, it’s a modern alternative to the traditional solicitor route — with clear pricing and compassionate service.

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Blending tradition with profitability

Tomoka Fine & Rare offers a curated whisky cask and bottle investment service from its base in London’s Royal Exchange. The company combines heritage appreciation with a clear understanding of investor goals, helping clients buy, sell and securely store fine spirits.

As with all investments, capital is at risk. The value of whisky can go down as well as up, and past performance is not a guarantee of future returns. Clients are advised to consider independent financial advice.

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Running a business is hard, so let’s make it easier

Capital on Tap empowers small businesses with fast, flexible credit and integrated spend tools. From cashback-earning cards to real-time accounting sync, their services help over 200,000 UK businesses streamline financial management.

Business owners can issue unlimited free company cards, set spending limits, and receive 24/7 support. Capital on Tap is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority. Terms and conditions apply.

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The power of an outsourced family office

JTC Private Office offers a holistic, outsourced family office service — helping families manage financial and non-financial complexities with confidence. The team supports luxury asset planning, family governance, cross-border relocation and succession strategy.

Whether you’re acquiring a superyacht or planning for intergenerational wealth, JTC Private Office brings clarity and structure to modern family life. Their approach is collaborative, discreet and tailored to each client.

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Award-winning and fee-free mortgage advice

Cooper Associates Mortgages offers bespoke, fee-free guidance to help clients navigate the property finance market — from first-time buyers to seasoned landlords. Their experienced advisers search the whole of the market to find mortgage solutions that fit your needs.

With a personal, end-to-end service and no hidden fees, Cooper Associates supports clients across the UK with clarity and care. All mortgage applications are subject to status and affordability checks.

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Will your retirement savings last a lifetime?

Manning Gee Investments helps clients plan for sustainable retirement income with strategies designed to guard against inflation, tax and market volatility. Their personalised approach aligns financial security with your individual lifestyle goals.

The firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (No. 844546). Capital at risk. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.

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Covent Garden FX: trusted currency exchange

Covent Garden FX is a family-run foreign exchange provider based in the heart of central London. Co-owned by Emma Hayes, the company offers strong rates, nationwide delivery and tailored money transfer services.

Whether you’re heading abroad or managing business finances, Covent Garden FX combines convenience, experience and customer-first service. Always check rates and terms before high-value transfers.

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