Looking for a pre-nup?

Then you need not look any further than your high street department store - or to be more precise, Harvey Nichols. Hot off the heels of the Supreme Court's landmark decision in Radmacher last month, the leading department store has launched the first ever

pre-nup bridal package at its Manchester branch.

Brides-to-be will be able to plan their big day (and financial affairs) to perfection thanks to a bridal package that includes everything from make-up advice to free legal consultations from Manchester based firm Dennison Greer Solicitors.

Once a world in which a Family Lawyer had a complete monopoly on, Harvey Nichols new offering looks set to mark the beginning of a trend (bordering takeover) in the fashion world.

Iain Mackenzie, General Manager of Harvey Nichols Manchester, says: "We wanted to offer our female clients a great one stop shop for their bridal needs beyond the dress but offer something different too.” He continues: "This is a fun and fashionable way to plan your nuptials and have some peace of mind before saying 'I do'."

Pre-nuptial agreements are no longer just for the rich and famous. Figures show a rise in contracts being drawn up by British women with 47% of women expressing a preference to safeguard their property and cash should the marriage break down.

Why the upsurge? It is simple, people have assets to protect. In an age where divorce is rife – there are 145,000 divorces a year in the UK alone - British Family Lawyers are witnessing a massive increase in the number of couples signing agreements before they walk down the aisle. Pre-nups have not traditionally been given legal status in England but the recent landmark ruling in the case of German Heiress Katrin Radmacher adds hope that the British courts are more likely to uphold the agreement.

With costly acrimony threats, celebrities in particular cannot afford to not think about a pre-nup. Examples of high-priced divorces include:

• Lionel Richie famously continues to pay up to £300,000 a month to his ex wife in the absence of a pre-nup.
• Sir Paul McCartney did not have a pre-nup and was ordered to pay Heather Mills £25 million in their divorce - one of the largest settlements in British history.
• Stephen Spielberg’s wife of four years walked away with £80 million after a judge dismissed the film director’s attempt to enforce prenuptial terms on a cocktail napkin.

Lisa Kemp, Head of Family Law at Dennison Greer Solicitors, comments: "Pre-nups don't have to be an unromantic affair, if you've purchased a flat and have paid into a mortgage there is nothing wrong with wanting to protect that if it’s what you came into the marriage with. Having a properly drafted agreement can help avoid a messy divorce.”

Commenting on the new partnership with Harvey Nichols, Kemp says: "We hope that the launch of the pre-nup package makes it easier for women to get important information about the process and make informed decisions before making a commitment."