Partner and national family team manager Chris Longbottom specialises in helping high net worth individuals with divorce and separation planning, including pre-nuptials, post nuptials, trusts and corporate structures. Chris discusses the importance of nuptial agreements for sport professionals where the financial implications of marriage can be more complex.
As the Winter Olympics capture global attention, athletes and sport professionals often find themselves reflecting on personal milestones as well as professional ones. For some, the excitement of competition season coincides with major life decisions like getting engaged. But for those whose careers are defined by high‑stakes performance, fluctuating earnings, and valuable personal brands, it’s wise to take a moment off the podium to consider the financial implications of marriage.
Whether you’re carving through the slopes, pursuing podium glory, or gearing up for a new sponsorship cycle, nuptial agreements, both pre‑ and post‑marriage, offer clarity and security. They’re not just for top‑earning Olympians either; they’re practical tools for any sport professional navigating variable income and evolving career trajectories.
Why nuptial agreements make sense for athletes
Prenuptial agreements provide greater certainty of financial outcomes should a marriage end in divorce. For sport professionals, whose earnings can peak early and decline later, this foresight is invaluable.
For many winter athletes, whether figure skaters, snowboarders, skiers, or speed skaters, careers can be short and heavily performance‑dependent. A prenuptial agreement, signed before marriage, sets out how assets will be divided if the relationship ends. A post‑nuptial agreement, signed after marriage, can update these arrangements following events such as new sponsorships, retirement from Olympic competition, or shifts in public image.
Like training programmes that evolve season‑to‑season, these agreements can be revised to reflect new circumstances, ensuring they stay fair and relevant.
Are they enforceable?
In England and Wales, nuptial agreements aren’t automatically binding. However, courts increasingly uphold them if they meet important criteria:
- Full financial disclosure from both partners
- Independent legal advice for each person
- No pressure or duress at the time of signing
- Ongoing fairness, given current circumstances
Keeping it fair
Just as winter athletes know the importance of adapting to conditions like changing ice quality, variable snow and new rules, your financial arrangements should adapt too. It is recommended to include revision clauses triggered by events such as:
- The birth or adoption of a child
- Major injuries or health issues
- Significant changes in sponsorship or earnings
For athletes, this could mean revisiting agreements after key career moments such as joining a national team programme, securing a lucrative sponsorship deal, or transitioning into coaching or commentary work. An annual review helps ensure your agreement remains enforceable and appropriate.
The bottom line
A well‑prepared and regularly reviewed nuptial agreement can:
- Protect assets such as property, savings, pensions, and image rights
- Offer financial certainty and reduce conflict in the event of divorce
- Strengthen trust by setting expectations openly and fairly
For sport professionals competing on the world’s biggest winter stage, where fortunes and public profiles can change faster than a downhill descent, nuptial agreements aren’t just practical, they’re strategic.
As you celebrate successes, whether at the games or in your personal life, taking steps to protect your financial future can be one of the most important decisions you make off the ice.
Speak to an expert
If you need legal advice on pre-nuptial, post nuptial agreements or any other family matter, our solicitors are ready to help. Call us now on 0800 422 0123 or contact us online.
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