Rise in pre‑nuptial agreements prompts warning over AI legal shortcuts

Categories: News

An experienced family lawyer has predicted a boom in pre-nuptial agreements – but warned couples against turning to AI as a cheap solution.

Pre-nups have been slowly increasing in popularity for some time – and trends in the USA suggest the asset-protecting agreements might soon be the norm in the UK.

A pre-nuptial agreement is a legal document signed before marriage, outlining asset division if the couple divorces.

They are typically used when there is a disparity in wealth between two marrying individuals, to protect business interests or to safeguard inheritance. 

It is estimated only around one in 10 couples currently have a pre-nup in the UK. But, according to a recent poll, a huge 41% of married or engaged Gen Z Americans – and 47% of millennials – have signed a pre-nup.

In the States, this increased interest in pre-nups has led to a rise in AI-assisted apps which draft legal documents for a small fee.

In October 2025, OpenAI – the developers of ChatGPT – amended its usage policy to specify that it cannot provide legal advice. However, ChatGPT will still spit out a pre-nup template in seconds if prompted to.

Angela Parker, Head of Family at Stafford-based firm ORJ Law, said asking AI for any legal advice is riddled with risk.

She said: “There is no doubt that pre-nups are becoming more common. Whereas once it was seen as a bit odd to sign a pre-nup, now many people consider it completely normal, particularly the younger generations.

“It’s often the case that trends in the States soon come across the Atlantic and are replicated in the UK. Therefore, it might not be too long before a significant proportion of marriages have a pre-nup in place.

“I have seen various apps, websites and AI-powered services claiming to be able to draft a pre-nup in seconds for the cost of a pair of shoes – but I’d urge people to be wary.

“If you have assets that are worth protecting, it’s important that agreements are drafted properly.  In the UK, pre-nuptial agreements aren’t currently legally binding but are considered by courts if deemed fair. 

“This means they must be freely entered into, with full financial disclosure and independent legal advice. Courts assess fairness, ensuring no undue pressure or significant disadvantage.

“This fairness will be nigh-on impossible to prove if a basic AI drafting service has been utilised.”

Angela added that AI is a completely unregulated marketplace – and a chatbot cannot understand the nuances of someone’s situation.

Angela believes there are several reasons why pre-nuptial agreements are becoming more commonplace.

“Firstly, people are tending to get married older so have often accumulated more individual wealth,” she said.

“There is also more realism around the divorce rate, particularly as a higher proportion of those getting married have divorced parents. Thirdly, it might even be influenced by celebrities with high-profile pre-nup agreements, such as Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

“Having a pre-nup in place might seem unromantic to some people, but others find it offers them security and a sense that everyone knows where they stand.

“An experienced family lawyer can help explain the benefits of having a pre-nup in a sensitive, no pressure manner.”

Angela has experience of dealing with both pre-nuptial agreements and post-nuptial agreements. Contact her for a no obligation initial conversation.

ENDS