Prenuptial agreements are often cited in celebrity divorce cases as multi millionaire stars attempt to retain their hard-earned assets in the event of separation or divorce. However, it is not just Premiership footballers and Hollywood A-listers for whom a prenuptial agreement could be beneficial and now, Woolley & Co, specialists in divorce and family law, offer advice on the creation of such an agreement.
A recent case involving the celebrated comedy actor John Cleese identifies how a ‘prenup’ can be crucial in certain cases. Michael Winner, a friend of the Fawlty Towers actor, is reported to have said that if anybody marries Cleese's recent ex-wife they had "better have a prenuptial agreement". These comments were based on reports that she has obtained a massive financial settlement from him which obliges him to pay millions up front to her plus keep working sufficiently to pay her £600,000 per year until he is 72. Cleese himself apparently says "I start to wonder how much it would have cost me if she'd contributed anything to the marriage".
A prenuptial agreement is a document in which a couple set out their rights to any property, debts, income and other assets purchased together or acquired individually or that they have bought into their relationship in the event that the relationship ends.
Andrew Woolley, senior partner at Woolley and Co, who can help with prenuptial agreements as well as getting a divorce says, “A recent landmark case featuring a paper industry heiress ruled that courts will regard prenuptial agreements as binding unless there is a reason not to. Previously, such an agreement was often ignored as the Courts didn't keep to them but from now on we will be advising that it is better to have one than not.”
Cleese is previously well known for settling divorce cases without unpleasant disputes but the recent settlement left a bitter taste. The Monty Python star said, “What I find so unfair is that if we both died today, her children would get much more than mine.”
Mr Woolley, from law firm Woolley & Co, who specialise in divorce and family law, explained, “Prenuptial agreements are particularly suitable where someone is about to marry for the second time and wants to limit any potential claims on the settlement they received from their first marriage if things go wrong again. They can also be written to ensure children of a first marriage don’t loose out as seems to have been the case with John Cleese.”
Details of how to obtain a prenuptial agreement can be found on the Woolley & Co website – http://www.family-
About Woolley & Co. Solicitors: Woolley & Co. Solicitors are family law specialists, operating throughout the UK. Their web site, http://www.family-
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