The insider’s guide to English Pre-Nuptial Agreements

English pre-nups (PNAs) are now an important consideration for families intent on protecting the family wealth, thanks to the 2010 case of Radmacher v Granatino.  Whilst PNAs do not oust the jurisdiction of the English court to have the final say in the matter, they can be determinative when it comes to splitting up wealth in the event of a divorce, as long as they are freely entered into, with a proper understanding by both parties as to the implications of the agreement and make fair provision for each spouse. 


There is a lot of available information on what PNAs are but much less information on just who is making them and why.  I caught up with our family law partner, Teresa Cullen, to ask her some candid questions about PNAs.  I hope you will find the answers illuminating.

Pre-Owned Assets Tax: the forgotten tax

Pre-Owned Assets Tax (POAT) was introduced in the Finance Act 2004.  Ten years is a long time but, when it comes to tax statute, ‘age cannot wither her’.  This tax has teeth and is capable of biting, not with a tax bill after death, like Inheritance Tax, but, worse, with an annual Income Tax charge that can be a very real drain on cash flow for the living.  What is this beast?  Read on.