What Financial Information Should You Share Before Getting Married?

Wedding planning often involves comparing prices, working out where to save and deciding which costs deserve more attention. Financial planning before marriage can follow the same practical approach. If a couple is considering a prenup, both people need a clear picture of the assets, debts and commitments that may shape the agreement.

For anyone asking what should a prenup include, the answer depends on the couple's circumstances rather than a standard checklist. This guide explains what information matters, where more complex finances need extra attention and compares three family law firms for prenup advice in England and Wales in 2026 using the same research-led criteria.

Quick comparison overview

Stowe Family Law may suit couples whose prenup involves business interests, property, inherited wealth or other financial complexity. Rayden Solicitors has independently recognised experience with pre and post-nuptial agreements and international financial structures. Burgess Mee may be relevant where substantial assets or structured negotiation are important.

The order reflects relevance to this scenario rather than an overall judgement of firm quality.

How the 2026 Shortlist Was Selected

The firms were considered against the same criteria. These included specialist family law focus, independent directory recognition, evidence of prenuptial agreement work and experience with financial issues that may make an agreement more complex.

Legal 500 recognition is used here as one independent indicator rather than proof that a firm will suit every couple. Availability, fees and individual solicitor experience can vary, so these should be checked directly.

The shortlist is a starting point for comparing relevant experience, rather than a prediction of how any case will turn out.

What Should a Prenup Include Before You Marry?

The starting point is the financial position each person brings into the marriage. Property, savings, investments, pensions, business interests and significant debts may all be relevant.

Property should be considered alongside any mortgage and the way ownership is structured. If family members contributed to a deposit or another person has an interest in the property, that may also need clarification.

Private businesses and shareholdings can require more work. A headline company value may not explain ownership restrictions, available cash or what shareholder agreements allow. Where necessary, professional valuation may be appropriate.

Inherited assets and significant gifts already received can also form part of the financial picture. Future inheritance is less certain and should not be treated as guaranteed wealth.

Overseas property, foreign accounts and international business interests may raise additional questions because another country's law could affect how an agreement is treated.

If you own a business, hold substantial property, have significant family wealth or own assets in more than one country, a family law solicitor can help you work out what to include in a prenup, which assets may need valuation and which terms require more detailed drafting before the agreement is signed.

What Matters Most When the Finances Are More Complex?

Complexity is not simply about the amount of money involved. A business with restricted shares can create more questions than a straightforward savings account. Property bought with family contributions may require ownership to be clarified, while assets abroad can create jurisdiction issues.

The aim of disclosure is to give both people a clear enough picture of the finances to understand what they are agreeing to. Resolution's current guidance recommends full financial disclosure and independent legal advice as safeguards when preparing marital agreements.

Business assets may also require valuation. Liquidity matters because a company can have significant paper value without providing readily available cash. Governance documents may restrict transfers or other decisions involving shares.

Tax consequences should not be assumed from the prenup itself. Where restructuring or transferring assets is being considered, appropriate tax advice may also be needed.

For couples already comparing wedding costs carefully, legal fees are another area worth understanding before work begins. Rather than comparing headline prices alone, ask what the estimate covers and whether valuations, international advice or further rounds of drafting could add to the work required.

Three Family Law Firms to Compare for Prenup Advice

1. Stowe Family Law

Suitable for

Couples dealing with property, business interests, inherited wealth or other complex assets.

Why it appears on this list

Stowe focuses on family law and has teams across England and Wales. Current Legal 500 commentary notes experience in nuptial agreements and complex financial matters, with businesses, pensions, trusts and international assets appearing across its regional practices.

Notable strengths

• Specialist family law focus
• Prenuptial agreement experience
• Legal 500 recognition across several regions

Good fit if

Your prenup involves several types of assets or assets that may need professional valuation.

Questions to ask

• What financial information should we gather before drafting starts?
• Do any assets need professional valuation?

2. Rayden Solicitors

Suitable for

Couples with substantial or international financial arrangements.

Why it appears on this list

Rayden specialises in private family law. Legal 500 records work involving multijurisdictional pre and post-nuptial agreements, trusts, corporate structures and overseas assets.

Notable strengths

• Specialist family law practice
• Prenuptial agreement experience
• Cross-border financial work

Good fit if

Your assets or family connections extend across more than one jurisdiction.

Questions to ask

• Could another country's law affect the agreement?
• What international advice may be needed?

3. Burgess Mee

Suitable for

Couples with substantial assets who may also value a structured approach to negotiation.

Why it appears on this list

Legal 500 records complex financial work at Burgess Mee alongside pre and post-nuptial agreements, including matters involving high-profile clients and technology founders. The firm also has mediation and collaborative family law capability.

Notable strengths

• Family law specialism
• Pre and post-nuptial agreement work
• Mediation and collaborative experience

Good fit if

The financial arrangements are complex and both people expect detailed discussion before terms are finalised.

Questions to ask

• How do you approach changes during negotiation?
• What disclosure should be completed before drafting?

Why Family Law Specialism Matters for a Prenup

Prenups are not automatically binding contracts in England and Wales. Under the Supreme Court approach, courts can give significant weight to an agreement, but the circumstances in which it was made remain important.

Current Resolution guidance highlights financial disclosure, independent legal advice, absence of undue pressure and sufficient understanding of the agreement among the safeguards practitioners should consider.

Specialist family law experience becomes particularly relevant where a prenup involves businesses, trusts, inherited wealth or international assets. What matters is whether the solicitor regularly handles the type of financial structure you have and knows when valuation, tax or overseas advice may be needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is full financial disclosure needed for a prenup?

Meaningful financial disclosure is an important safeguard because each person needs enough information to understand the financial position and the agreement they are considering.

Do both people need separate solicitors?

Independent legal advice is recommended so that each person can understand the terms and implications from their own position.

Can a prenup cover future inheritance?

A couple can discuss how future inheritance should be treated, but expected inheritance is uncertain and is different from wealth already owned.

How much does a prenup cost?

Fees depend on the work involved. Business valuations, international advice or lengthy negotiations can increase the amount of work required. Couples should ask firms what an estimate includes before comparing costs.

Financial conversations before marriage do not need to turn wedding planning into a legal exercise. The aim is to make sure both people understand the financial position behind any agreement they are considering.

For couples already budgeting carefully for the wedding and thinking about longer-term finances, having these conversations early can make the process feel more manageable and give both people time to understand what needs to be documented.

Disclaimer

This article is for general informational purposes and focuses on England and Wales. It does not constitute legal advice. Firm services, fees, directory recognition and individual lawyer availability can change, so current details should be confirmed directly with any firm being considered