Episode 33: Prenups, postnups and petnups

Mar 26 2024 • 35 mins

No longer the preserve of the ultra- wealthy, prenups, postnups and petnups are on the rise. But what are they, what can they cover, and do they stand up in court?

Take a listen as Matt & Liza dive into nuptial agreements, the advantages, the challenges, and the laws surrounding them. Along with when and how they are useful, especially for people marrying later in life, wanting to protect family assets or preserve inheritance for their kids, and when they are not.

Conversation then moves to the rise of the petnup, how pets are viewed in divorce, the need to recognise the importance of people’s fur-babies, and whether this will change over time.

Before closing, with a discussion around the pitfalls of making these agreements legally binding, and surprise guest appearances from Matt’s dog Crumble and Liza’s dog, Duke.

00:00 What is a prenup? What is a postnup?
01:22 Why would you get a prenup or postnup?
01:38 What are the advantages of prenups and postnups?
04:16 What are the disadvantages of prenups and postnups?
05:52 What is the law surrounding prenups and postnups?
11:44 What are the benefits of prenups?
15:00 Who should consider a prenup or postnup?
16:05 The role of property, unequal assets, inheritance, marrying later in life, and second and third marriages
17:39 What are the challenges of a prenup and postnup?
20:00 The importance of review dates within a prenup and postnup
23:47 The importance of understanding the power of these agreements
23:51 Celebrity prenups and postnups are sometimes not helpful
24:31 Prenups can be for everyone - it's about setting expectations.
24:49 Protecting family wealth, trusts and inheritance
25:58 What is a petnup?
26:25 Pets in divorce proceedings
27:44 Are petnups legally binding?
29:08 A final hearing about a dog
29:54 Should prenups and postnups become legally binding?
30:34 The importance of safeguards and disclosure to protect vulnerable people

Additional information
What is a prenup? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twKKM-kL5Uc
A guide to prenups https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Client-Guide-What-is-a-Prenup-Agreement.pdf
Five reasons to get a prenup https://www.stowefamilylaw.co.uk/blog/2021/08/06/5-reasons-a-nuptial-agreement-may-be-right-for-you/