Prenuptial agreements — long associated with celebrities and high net worth families — are entering the financial mainstream, according to new national research commissioned by the law firm Taylor Rose.
The study of UK adults found that among those who are or have been married or lived with a partner, 11% have signed some form of relationship agreement, whether a prenup, post-nuptial agreement or cohabitation agreement. The generational split, however, is marked.
Among Gen Z respondents who have been married or cohabited, 29% have entered into an agreement, compared with 26% of millennials. This contrasts with just 5% of Generation X and less than 1% of those older than this.
Within Gen Z, 14% have signed a prenup, 10% a cohabitation agreement and 6% a post-nup. The corresponding figures for millennials are 11%, 10% and 8% respectively.
FROM NO-GO TO NORMAL
The shift is not confined to those who have already signed agreements. Almost one in three people 30% say they would now consider signing a prenup, rising to 38% of Gen Z and 40% of millennials.
Cohabitation agreements — historically rare in the UK — appear to be following a similar trajectory. One in three people 33% say they would consider signing one, including 34% of Gen Z and 41% of millennials.
The data challenges the assumption that such agreements are only relevant to high net worth households. The median joint asset value covered by existing agreements is £375,000. Only 4% of agreements involve total assets exceeding £1 million, with most falling between £100,000 and £500,000.
In other words, the typical assets protected are consistent with those of many owner-occupier households, reflecting rising property values and the growing complexity of household finances.
PRAGMATIC APPROACH TO RISK
The motivations behind this change appear largely practical. More than half 54% of those who would consider an agreement say they would do so to avoid being left financially vulnerable if a relationship ends. Over one in three 35% cite protecting their own or their family’s wealth, while 30% specifically refer to safeguarding a future inheritance.
Exposure to difficult break-ups also appears influential. Forty per cent of adults say they personally know someone who has gone through a contentious divorce or separation. In 56% of those cases, there was definitely no agreement in place, compared with just 12% where one was confirmed.
Amarjit Ryatt, partner and head of the family team at Taylor Rose, said the trend reflects broader demographic and economic shifts. He said: “These findings confirm what we are seeing more and more every day — prenups are no longer reserved for the rich. People are recognising them as sensible, protective documents that promote fairness and reduce conflict.
“Younger couples, in particular, are leading this shift, approaching relationships with clarity and maturity rather than seeing these agreements as a sign of distrust.
“If you’re considering a prenup, think about starting the conversation early, making full and open financial disclosure, and ensuring both partners have independent legal advice.”
Family lawyers say couples are increasingly marrying later, often with established careers, existing property ownership or business interests, and unequal financial starting points. In addition, more complex family structures — including second marriages and blended families — have made clarity over assets and expectations more pressing.
Nevertheless, resistance remains. Among those unwilling to consider a prenup or similar agreement, 45% say it signals distrust. A further 28% view it as an admission that the relationship may fail, while 22% question how enforceable such agreements are. Concerns about family conflict and cost are also cited.
The findings suggest that while prenuptial agreements have not yet become standard practice, they are increasingly regarded as part of mainstream financial planning — particularly among younger homeowners navigating property ownership, inheritance expectations and more complex financial arrangements.
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