What is a prenuptial agreement?

Prenuptial agreements are part of a broader defined estate planning concept. A prenuptial agreement is an agreement between the spouses, in which it is agreed how possession of property is organised within the marriage, or how it is divided between the spouses in case of a divorce. If you do not sign a prenuptial agreement, you and your spouse will (in most countries) be married in community of property, which means that you and your spouse own everything jointly.*

What can you organise with a prenuptial agreement?

By drafting a prenuptial agreement you can set out exactly if the spouses become joint owners of all property, which might be earned by only one of both during his/her lifetime, or if only specific property or income will become joint property after the marriage.

A prenuptial agreement is normally signed before you get married. Sometimes signing or changing a prenuptial agreement during the marriage (a postnuptial agreement) can also be used as an estate-planning tool.

In order to prevent your spouse from owning half your property after a divorce, drafting a prenuptial agreement is essential in most jurisdictions. A prenuptial agreement is also used to set out how you or your spouse will be supported financially after you divorce (i.e. alimony), and who will act as a guardian for any children.

Not every multi-family office will be sufficiently equipped to provide advice about prenuptial agreements, because this is not only a highly specialised topic, but it is closely related to the laws of your country of residence as well as your nationality. Also single-family offices will mostly use external advisors to support you with this service.