Advisers Urged to Discuss Prenups with Clients

When a couple decides to marry, many advisers now see the need to raise the topic of a prenuptial agreement as part of routine wealth planning.

Advisers spot a large knowledge gap

A recent survey commissioned by Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management found that almost nine in ten married or civil‑partnered couples in the UK lack any such contract. The study estimates that roughly 22.7 million adults fall into this group.

Only about 27 percent of respondents who claimed to understand the document could actually explain how it works. A separate poll by JMW Solicitors revealed that 45 percent view it as unromantic, while a similar share believes it creates a power imbalance.

These figures suggest that many people enter marriage without clear expectations about asset division, despite the fact that advisers already review retirement, inheritance and divorce risks.

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How the conversation fits into broader planning

Marriage often brings together disparate financial situations: one partner may own a family business, inherit future wealth, or have children from a prior relationship. The other may have a different income level or debt profile. Discussing an agreement can therefore surface issues that would otherwise be hidden.

“Prenups are not about expecting a marriage to fail; they’re about creating clarity and reducing uncertainty,” said Brett Frankle, partner at Mills & Reeve. He noted a sharp rise in demand for such contracts during the past wedding season, especially among younger professionals who already hold significant assets.

Advisers can treat the discussion much like they would a life‑insurance review: a preventive step that many hope never to need, yet that provides peace of mind when it does become relevant.

For entrepreneurs, the document can protect a business from being entangled in personal disputes, while for those with existing homes or savings, it clarifies ownership should the relationship end. The process also forces full financial disclosure, which can strengthen trust between partners.

In practice, the timing matters.

For the average client, the adviser’s role is not to prescribe whether to sign the contract, but to ensure the conversation happens. By flagging marriage as a trigger event, they can integrate asset protection into the overall financial roadmap.

In everyday terms, a couple entering marriage with their own homes, savings and perhaps a small enterprise faces the same kind of uncertainty as anyone buying a car or signing a lease. Addressing those questions early can avoid costly disputes later.

Overall, the data show that while many still view the contract as a romantic taboo, a growing segment of professionals is treating it as a sensible component of financial hygiene.