Why are Prenuptial / Pre-Civil Partnership Agreements important?

On entering into a marriage or civil partnership, the parties obtain certain legal rights, including a right of occupation in any property which is used as a family home. The marriage / civil partnership also provides each party with the potential to make financial claims against the other in the event of a breakup. These claims are for maintenance, lump sum payments, property adjustment orders and pension provision. Couples enter into a prenuptial / pre-civil partnership agreement to make provision for what they would wish to happen regarding their finances in the event of their relationship breaking down to avoid potentially costly legal disputes regarding these issues in the future. For this reason, such an agreement should be considered as an insurance policy to provide peace of mind and security but should not be entered into lightly.