Prenuptial agreements — once seen as the domain of the ultra-rich or Hollywood celebrities — are rapidly becoming a normal part of modern relationship planning in the UK, according to new national research1 commissioned by leading law firm, Taylor Rose.
A major new study of UK adults has found that of those people who are or have been married or lived with a partner, one in ten (11%) have signed some form of relationship agreement – whether a prenuptial, a post-nuptial, or a cohabitation agreement. However, this rises to 29% of Gen Z and 26% of millennials who have been married or cohabited, compared to just 5% of Generation X and less than 1% of those older than this, revealing that these agreements are becoming much more commonplace amongst younger generations.
Of Gen Z who are or have been married or cohabited, 14% have signed a prenup; 10% a cohabitation agreement; and 6% a post-nup. The corresponding figures for millennials are 11%, 10% and 8%.
From “no-go” to “normal”
According to the findings, almost one in three people (30%) would now consider signing a prenup, rising to 38% of Gen Z and 40% of millennials, signalling a significant cultural shift in how couples approach financial planning and indicating that prenups are becoming a routine consideration for couples balancing careers, property ownership and complex modern finances.
Cohabitation agreements, which offer clarity for couples who live together but are not married, have traditionally been rare in the UK. The new data suggests they are fast becoming part of responsible relationship planning for young people, with one in three (33%) people saying they would consider signing one, rising to 34% of Gen Z and 41% of millennials.
Crucially, the research challenges the perception that legal agreements are solely for the wealthy. The majority of people who already have a prenup or similar agreement in place are protecting modest, middle-income assets, typical of the average UK household.
The median joint asset value covered by these agreements is £375,000, and only 4% of agreements involve total assets valued over £1 million. Most cases fall between £100,000 and £500,000, demonstrating that these agreements have firmly entered the financial planning for ordinary households.
Pragmatic protection of wealth
At the heart of this shift is pragmatism. The data shows that 54% of those who would consider an agreement say they would be motivated by avoiding being left financially vulnerable if the relationship ends. More than one in three (35%) are motivated by the protection of their or their family’s wealth, and 30% specifically point to the protection of a future inheritance.
One in four (24%) say that the stories they have seen of acrimonious break-ups or high-profile divorce cases would be a factor in their willingness to consider an agreement; and one in five (20%) say the fact that they are now more accepted and normalised would contribute to their desire to sign one.
The public’s exposure to difficult relationship breakdowns appears to be another driving factor. The study reveals that 40% of the adult population personally knows someone who has gone through a contentious divorce or breakup, and in over half of those cases (56%), there was definitely no prenup or similar agreement in place. An agreement was definitely in place in just 12% of these cases. Family lawyers say this lived experience is clearly influencing attitudes.
Amarjit Ryatt, Partner and Head of the Family Team at Taylor Rose, said prenups have also become more common as couples marry later, build individual careers and enter relationships with existing assets or financial commitments. This shift means many couples now begin marriage with unequal financial starting points, making early discussions about ownership, contributions and expectations more relevant than in previous generations.
Another factor behind the growing popularity is the rise in complex modern family structures, such as second marriages, blended families, inherited property, or situations in which one partner owns a business. In such cases, relationship agreements provide a clear framework that helps minimise disputes by setting out what both parties consider fair.
Amarjit Ryatt, Partner and Head of the Family Team, Taylor Rose, 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.”
Among those who wouldn’t consider a prenup or similar agreement, 45% said it was a sign of distrust, the most common reason for being unwilling to get one. More than one in four (28%) suggested they represented an admission that the relationship might fail, and 22% were sceptical about how enforceable they are. One in five (21%) were concerned that they could create conflict between the two families, and 13% believed them to be expensive.
