February 23, 2026
What is a predatory marriage?
A Predatory Marriage occurs when someone marries a vulnerable person primarily for financial gain rather than for genuine reasons of love and companionship. While these situations are rare, they can have serious legal and financial consequences, particularly for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly or those with limited capacity.
Predatory marriages often take advantage of people at a time when they may be less able to protect themselves or fully understand the implications of their decisions. It is important to be aware of the risks and know how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones.
How does marriage affect your will?
The main point to understand is that getting married automatically revokes any pre-existing Will. This means that any instructions about how your estate should be distributed will no longer apply, potentially leaving your family unprotected.
Because of this, it is essential to review and update your Will whenever your personal circumstances change, especially before getting married, to ensure that your estate is distributed according to your wishes.
What steps can I take to protect myself from a predatory marriage?
If you’re concerned about predatory marriage or want to protect your estate, there are several practical steps you can take:
- Make or update your Will: Ensure your wishes are clearly documented and up to date.
- Make a Will in contemplation of marriage and which will ensure that it remains valid after you have married
- Execute a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA): Unlike a Will, an LPA is not revoked by marriage, offering an important layer of protection and allowing someone you trust to make decisions on your behalf, both financially and medically.
- Consider trusts and other estate planning: Estate planning can help preserve family assets, provide for loved ones, and mitigate inheritance tax risks. They can also offer additional protection if someone attempts to take advantage of your estate or your vulnerabilities.
- Pre-nuptial agreements: Pre-nuptial agreements can clarify intentions before marriage, protect assets, and provide certainty for both parties.
While these steps cannot eliminate all risks, they provide essential protection and peace of mind.
Why Seek Professional Advice from Solicitors in Ipswich?
Predatory marriage cases can be complicated. Without expert guidance, it’s easy for mistakes to arise, and important protections might be missed. An experienced solicitor can make sure your arrangements are properly documented, giving you peace of mind.
You can also find more guidance on Wills and LPAs by visiting our Wills & LPA Q&A playlist on YouTube, where our expert solicitors answer common questions to help you plan for the future.
If you’d like personalised advice on Wills, LPAs, trusts, or pre-nuptial agreements, the team at Bates Wells & Braithwaite are here to help. You can contact us by email at mail@bates-wells.co.uk or by phone on 01473 219282 or by filling in our contact form.