Divorce - You NEVER know!!

crakkers

Ok, Ok,, I am NOT getting divorced nor planning to but you never know when if it might happen.

So, I have recently inhereted a fairly large sum of money. Can I protect it if i get divorced, after all it was left to me, with NO mention of my wife in the will.

Any ideas?

lilac_lady

I think you'll be getting divorced when your wife finds out.

dtaylor84

Thanks. You've made me realise that no matter how cynical I am about humanity, it just isn't cynical enough.

poppyolivia

omg you are kidding right?lol....spend it now!

hayley11

Wow you're wife is so lucky to have you.

Fang_3

No you can't. It will be included in the marital property or whatever the term is.

lauren_1

Personally I wouldn't expect a share of my husbands inheritance for myself (im not married yet but i still wouldnt)

say if the inheritance came from the OP's father, why should the wife be able to claim any in a divorce? it wasn't hers, only what is made and bought TOGETHER in the marriage should be split.

Trying to claim anything that was left by a deceased relative that wasnt yours just stinks of golddigging, but also assuming your wife would want a claim of this, kind of sounds a bit shallow.

pelirocco

My Oh recently inheirited half share in a house ,even tho we have been married nearly 30 years I dont see it as my money and wouldnt expect any of it ,I have even had it written into our wills if he was to die before me ,the money goes toour kids

clearingout

you would all feel very differently in a divorce situation and where that money made a difference to whether or not you got housed appropriately after the divorce.

The answer is you can't protect it as such. You can spend it and have a great time so it's gone but if you use it to pay off your mortgage or buy a new kitchen, in a divorce situation, you can ask that it be ring-fenced as yours. However, where earning power, children, house prices etc. etc. all come into play, it simply may not be possible to keep it out of the pot for splitting between you.

Best case scenario is that in the event you do get divorced, you and the wife keep talking, use the mediation services available and keep things out of court. Nothing in life is certain, that's for sure.

silverbullit

Set up a trust with yourself and/or who ever else you choose as the beneficiaries...failing which I would be happy to help out!

zzzLazyDaisy

On divorce all assets must be declared and will be taken into consideration when deciding who gets what, based on their needs and their ability to house and financially support themselves.

Some couples divorce amicably and mutually choose not to make a claim on their OH's investments. But that does not alter the fact that if an amicable settlement cannot be reached, and it goes to court, the courts have very far reaching powers indeed, especially where it has been a long marriage.

EDIT - (to anser the point below) if the money is inherited before the marriage, it is possible to sign a pre-nup. This isn't binding on the courts, but the courts will give it due consideration, UNLESS circumstances have changed - eg the wife now has four young children and no hope of putting a roof over their heads after the split.

But if the money is inherited during the marriage then it is an asset of the marriage.