Should pre-nups be encouraged?

10 March 2014

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A pre-nuptial agreement is a contract signed by couples before they tie the knot, outlining how financial assets should be split if the relationship breaks down. Currently, they’re not legally binding, but the Law Commission thinks they should be. Supporters argue they give clarity from the outset, and make it easier for couples to manage their affairs following a break-up. Opponents say it goes against the idea of marriage, adds expense and can leave the poorer partner under pressure to agree. Should pre-nups be encouraged? Which of these is closest to your view?

A pre-nuptial agreement is a contract signed by couples before they tie the knot, outlining how financial assets should be split if the relationship breaks down. Currently, they’re not legally binding, but the Law Commission thinks they should be.

Supporters argue they give clarity from the outset, and make it easier for couples to manage their affairs following a break-up. Opponents say it goes against the idea of marriage, adds expense and can leave the poorer partner under pressure to agree.

Should pre-nups be encouraged? Which of these is closest to your view?

Results

I’m a single woman (658 votes)

Yes, and hopefully they'll become legally binding.		360 votes (55%)
Yes, but they should remain subject to the court’s discretion.		97 votes (15%)
No. When you marry, all wealth immediately becomes equal.		77 votes (12%)
No, the proportion should be decided when the divorce takes place.		67 votes (10%)
Undecided / Don’t care		57 votes (9%)

I’m a single man (622 votes)

Yes, and hopefully they'll become legally binding.		406 votes (65%)
Yes, but they should remain subject to the court’s discretion.		74 votes (12%)
No. When you marry, all wealth immediately becomes equal.		53 votes (9%)
No, the proportion should be decided when the divorce takes place.		43 votes (7%)
Undecided / Don’t care		46 votes (7%)

I’m married woman / woman in a civil partnership (763 votes)

Yes, and hopefully they'll become legally binding.		252 votes (33%)
Yes, but they should remain subject to the court’s discretion.		104 votes (14%)
No. When you marry, all wealth immediately becomes equal.		209 votes (27%)
No, the proportion should be decided when the divorce takes place.		135 votes (18%)
Undecided / Don’t care		63 votes (8%)

I’m married man / man in a civil partnership (574 votes)

Yes, and hopefully they'll become legally binding.		201 votes (35%)
Yes, but they should remain subject to the court’s discretion.		55 votes (10%)
No. When you marry, all wealth immediately becomes equal.		185 votes (32%)
No, the proportion should be decided when the divorce takes place.		81 votes (14%)
Undecided / Don’t care		52 votes (9%)

I’m a divorced woman / remarried after a divorce (204 votes)

Yes, and hopefully they'll become legally binding.		113 votes (55%)
Yes, but they should remain subject to the court’s discretion.		30 votes (15%)
No. When you marry, all wealth immediately becomes equal.		27 votes (13%)
No, the proportion should be decided when the divorce takes place.		26 votes (13%)
Undecided / Don’t care		8 votes (4%)

I’m a divorced man / remarried after a divorce (122 votes)

Yes, and hopefully they'll become legally binding.		78 votes (64%)
Yes, but they should remain subject to the court’s discretion.		9 votes (7%)
No. When you marry, all wealth immediately becomes equal.		14 votes (11%)
No, the proportion should be decided when the divorce takes place.		13 votes (11%)
Undecided / Don’t care		8 votes (7%)

                   2,943 votes received.

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