Getting married soon, need help on financial implications please

Soledad19

Tokmon said:

Soledad19 said:

We didn't know MSE forum was about judgement and morality, I thought it was about practical advice and sharing expertise, silly us!

We would strongly advise anyone to read carefully our words before replying, as anything can be said except that we're getting married for tax reasons. Stick to the spirit of our question please, and keep your judgements for yourself, nobody requested that, especially if you can't read properly or mis-interpret our query.

Many thanks.

I don't understand why you want to get married?

Getting married legally means all your assets are shared so i would never get married in your situation where you don't want to live together and want to keep your finances separate because it's the complete opposite. 

The main reason is that having got to our age (55), we think it's time to secure our rights (inheritance but also being able to look after each other in hospital etc). The other reason is that one of us has an EU passport and by getting married the other can apply for the EU country citizenship. There is a property owned abroad for which an EU passport will help. 
I understant so many here are shocked, but in some European countries you choose, right when you get married, whether you want to put your assets together or keep them separate.

74jax

Soledad19 said:

Tokmon said:

Soledad19 said:

We didn't know MSE forum was about judgement and morality, I thought it was about practical advice and sharing expertise, silly us!

We would strongly advise anyone to read carefully our words before replying, as anything can be said except that we're getting married for tax reasons. Stick to the spirit of our question please, and keep your judgements for yourself, nobody requested that, especially if you can't read properly or mis-interpret our query.

Many thanks.

I don't understand why you want to get married?

Getting married legally means all your assets are shared so i would never get married in your situation where you don't want to live together and want to keep your finances separate because it's the complete opposite. 

The main reason is that having got to our age (55), we think it's time to secure our rights (inheritance but also being able to look after each other in hospital etc). The other reason is that one of us has an EU passport and by getting married the other can apply for the EU country citizenship. There is a property owned abroad for which an EU passport will help. 
I understant so many here are shocked, but in some European countries you choose, right when you get married, whether you want to put your assets together or keep them separate.

I don't think we are shocked, like I said in my earlier post, it will help to understand your reasonings why you are doing it. You've added a bit more so we can help on that. 
You can have Wills and PoA drawn up so a marriage isn't needed for those - what is the likelihood of inheritance tax at the moment with your current assets? 
It is worth the financial implications to get the passport? Is there no other way round going to the property abroad? 

TBagpuss

Soledad19 said:

The main reason is that having got to our age (55), we think it's time to secure our rights (inheritance but also being able to look after each other in hospital etc). The other reason is that one of us has an EU passport and by getting married the other can apply for the EU country citizenship. There is a property owned abroad for which an EU passport will help. 
I understant so many here are shocked, but in some European countries you choose, right when you get married, whether you want to put your assets together or keep them separate.

There are some people on this board who have very strong views about what marriage "should" mean and who get very upset that not everyone sees things the same way  

The main issue may be how close the wedding is - normally with a pre-nup you want it to be finalized at least 6 weeks before the marriage takes place (as a concern is that otherwise there's a risk that one party signed  under duress, with a threat that the other would jilt them or refuse to go through with the marriage if they don't.

You may be able t o address this by doing a post-nup instead, (same sort of agreement but after the marriage is solemnised, rather than before) 

pphillips

Applying for citizenship can be a long, expensive and time consuming process. It may require the other to reside there for a long period of time, obtain a level of knowledge of a country's culture and language. Wouldn't it be a lot easier just exercise the EU treaty rights of free movement? These rights apply similarly whether the non-citizen is married to the citizen or their partner in a durable relationship.