As unromantic as it sounds, there are several financial benefits to being married, both in life and upon death, that divorcing couples should consider.
Please note that we are not accountants so it is always advisable to seek independent expert accountancy/tax advice. Below we have set out some general considerations based on individuals being domiciled in the UK.
Capital Gains Tax
Chargeable assets transferred between married couples can be free of CGT, albeit that if that asset is later disposed of by the recipient spouse during their lifetime, capital gains tax is charged on the gain made during the whole period of ownership (i.e. the date upon which the asset was acquired by the first spouse, not the date upon which it was transferred to the other).
However, this rule only applies up until the end of the tax year following a married couple’s separation.
Lifetime Gifts
Gifts made between spouses during their lifetimes are not subject to inheritance tax.
It is generally accepted that assets transferred in accordance with a Court Order upon divorce are not subject to inheritance tax.
Inheritance upon Death
Upon marriage, any existing Will is automatically revoked and therefore is no longer valid unless it was made in contemplation of that marriage.
Widows/widowers have an automatic right to inherit from their deceased spouse’s Estate in the event that they died intestate (i.e. without a Will) up to the first £250,000 of their Estate, with the remainder going to the children.
Gifts left between married couples upon death are inherited tax free. In addition, in the event that a widow’/widower’s spouse dies without using their full nil rate band (a tax free allowance which is the amount of a deceased’s Estate not subject to inheritance tax), this can be transferred to the surviving spouse.
Unless a Will is made in contemplation of divorce, upon divorce, gifts left to a former spouse in a Will or appointments of a former spouse as executor or trustee become obsolete.
Financial Planning following a Divorce Settlement
It is always a good idea to seek independent financial advice prior to, during and following a divorce settlement so that you can plan your finances in the most effective and efficient way to achieve your financial and lifestyle objectives in the most tax efficient way.