Researchers from financial services group Prudential found that a quarter of the over-55s they surveyed were attaching conditions to their wills. The concern is that if a child marries and then gets divorced, family money that has been passed down from their parents could be lost. If a divorce settlement decision goes the wrong way, inheritance that has been granted to a child could be claimed at least in part by their ex-spouse.

One of the main worries among this age group is that grandchildren and other dependents may not see any of their intended inheritance funds if their parent’s relationship should end, and end with assets being divided unevenly. Just less than a third of the people surveyed said that their main priority was making sure their grandchildren benefit from their legacies, while a further 13% revealed that they’d already sought financial or legal advice about inheritance, or will seek it very soon.

Some of the over-55s included in the study said that they are putting money into discretionary trusts in order to stipulate how legacies should be spent, while 10% said that they are urging their children to seek professional advice on receiving and spending their inheritance.

Les Cameron, a tax expert for Prudential, told the Daily Mail:

“With two in five marriages ending in divorce, it is easy to understand why the problem of keeping wealth within the family is a growing concern for the bank of mum and dad when they’re planning to leave money to children and grandchildren.”

In another key finding from the report, more than a third of those surveyed said that they were worried about inheritance tax – although only 19% had actually sought advice on reducing it.

Could prenuptial agreements be a simpler solution?

A far simpler way to protect assets in case of divorce is to put a watertight pre-nuptial agreement in place. While not the most romantic prospect to consider in the lead up to your big day, a simple pre-nup can avoid months of arguing, bitterness and heartache later on. This is especially the case if there are concerns about losing family money or inheritance not reaching grandchildren or other intended beneficiaries.

You may never need to think about it again once the agreement has been drawn up, but it can be hugely reassuring to know that it’s there.

If you or a relative is soon to tie the knot and you’re weighing up whether to get a pre-nuptial agreement or not, it’s time to seek professional advice. Tracey Miller Family Law specialises in pre-nuptial agreements as well as being one of the most trusted family law solicitors in Liverpool. To talk through your options and for expert advice you can trust, get in touch with our friendly team today.