Caroline Foulger and Richard Kershaw discuss financial abuse in later life marriages with the Family Law Journal
Their comments were published in the Family Law Journal, 2 January 2026, and can be seen here (behind a paywall).
Caroline Foulger, Partner in our Private Client department, and Richard Kershaw, Partner in our Family and Relationships team, examine the complex intersection of financial abuse and pre-nuptial agreements in later-life marriages, particularly where significant age gaps and blended family dynamics exist.
They question whether current legal safeguards in pre-nuptial agreements are sufficient to protect vulnerable individuals from undue influence, especially in cases involving mental capacity concerns, lifetime gifts and familial pressures.
Centred on the case of Hugo (78) and Wendy (54), who married in 2020 with substantial assets and adult children from previous relationships, the article reviews their Radmacher v Granatino-compliant pre-nuptial agreement, which provided asset protection and generous provisions for Hugo. However, subsequent developments – including Wendy’s will favouring Hugo and unexpected gifts to his family – raise concerns about financial manipulation.
They highlight the growing need for specialist advice in such scenarios, as practitioners are increasingly called upon to address these risks and ensure that vulnerable parties’ interests are safeguarded.
Read the full article in the Family Law Journal [external link, behind paywall].