Landmark case sees heiress win divorce settlement dispute

Posted 01/07/2009

The case of a German heiress who managed to overturn the terms of her divorce settlement could set a precedent for future rulings.

Nicolas Granatino had drawn up a pre-nuptial agreement with his wife Katrin Radmacher, in which he agreed not to make any claims on her £100 million fortune should they part company.

However, Mr Granatino was awarded nearly £6 million when the couple divorced last year, prompting Ms Radmacher to take legal action.

Lord Justice Thorpe backed her assertion that pre-nuptial agreements should be considered when a husband and wife separate, as it is “unrealistic” to disregard them.

This could potentially have a bearing on future divorce cases, as it means these contracts could become legally binding.

Commenting on the decision, Ms Radmacher said: “The agreement was at my father’s insistence as he wanted to protect my inheritance.

“Like all wealthy parents, he feared gold-diggers.”

According to figures from Aviva, pre-nuptial agreements are four times more popular than they were in 2003.