Maxwell McLaurin have reported that the increasing number of young people being gifted property are taking out ante-nuptial agreements with provision for division of property in the event of marital breakdown.

“Pre-nuptial arrangements used to be associated with celebrities and the wealthy but today with so many parents helping their children to get a foot on the property ladder, such agreements have become far more widespread amongst young couples and people entering a second marriage," said Karen Gailey, Solicitor, an accredited specialist in family law with Maxwell MacLaurin.

“There used to be a feeling that such agreements somehow tempted fate but people are far more financially aware these days so entering this type of agreement makes sense, especially if the couple have separate pre-marital property.”

“Pre-nuptial agreements can avoid much uncertainty and act as a useful record of the property which one or both of the parties brought into the marriage, in the unfortunate event that the marriage breaks down. In many cases we are approached by parents in the first instance but we also find that couples are seeking advice themselves.”