TO PRE-NUP OR NOT TO PRE-NUP? My fiancé and I are tying the knot this year, I wanted to look at a pre-nup but have no idea where to start! What’s involved, what are the benefits of having one and how best do I talk to my partner about this? Victoria Cannon, partner and head of family law at Hugh James, answers our reader’s question: The excitement of planning your big day comes with many decisions, and considering a pre-nuptial agreement (pre-nup) is a practical step that many couples are now exploring. While pre-nups were once seen as only for the wealthy, they are becoming increasingly popular as a way to provide financial clarity and peace of mind; especially if you are a business owner, have inheritance or assets acquired prior to the marriage. Prenuptial agreements should be seen like car or wedding insurance, arranged in the event that something should happen, but not with the expectation that it is needed. Firstly, a pre-nuptial agreement is a legal document that sets out how your assets will be divided in the event of a divorce. At the point that you get married your assets are seen as joint matrimonial assets and in the event of a divorce all of these could be up for division. Therefore, it is important for you to consider your assets carefully and what both of you would want to happen to them if the marriage breaks down. It is also worth noting that while pre-nups aren’t automatically legally binding in England and Wales, if they are fairly drafted and meet legal guidelines, courts will generally uphold them. Bringing up a pre-nup with your fiancé can feel tricky, but it’s important to approach it positively and openly. Start the conversation early so you have plenty of time to discuss at length the details. Present it as financial planning, like a will or insurance. Reassure your partner that this isn’t about expecting a divorce but ensuring a fair agreement for you both. Seek professional advice together from a family lawyer so it doesn’t feel as intimidating. www.hughjames.com | email@hughjames.co.uk PERSONAL TOUCHES We’d really like our stationery to be quirky, reflecting our personalities, perhaps something our guests wouldn’t have seen before. What do you suggest? Harriet Russell, stationery designer at Amoretto Design says: This is music to my ears! Your stationery should absolutely reflect you as a couple, it’s a little like branding yourself! You want your guests to smile and say, ‘this is so them!’. Think of it like the introduction of a book; it sets the tone and gives a nod to the main event, your love story! Choose a stationer that understands the value of storytelling, one that will sit down with you and learn about you both and your plans for the big day. If done well, your stationery should both reflect you as a couple, your style and taste and also hint at the type of day that you are planning. If quirky is your thing, think about the wording on your stationery. Throw out the conventional and have fun with rhymes, introduce brave font choices and choose a colour palette as quirky as you. What about unusual shapes, who needs a rectangle when you can have hexagon, right? Really think about the finish; laser cut invitations work beautifully to visually depict your favourite things, from shoes to dogs and everything in between. Adding a foil finish works well for a flash of luxury, as do print methods such as embossing and debossing. You might also consider adding elements such as bespoke illustrations – another beautiful way to be personal and different. The options really are endless; the trick is finding a stationer that gets you and is passionate about telling your story. www.amorettodesign.com harriet@amorettodesign.com 67 EXPERT ADVICE
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