A Creative Way to Divorce-Proof Your Premarital Assets
If the full-disclosure aspect of a prenup agreement is a sticking point for you, an irrevocable trust could be an interesting way around the issue.


Whoever said “money can’t buy happiness” has never paid for a divorce. Paul Tommins should know … he’s paid for two of them. This is an area we are regularly contacted about.
His divorces – expensive as they were – came with silver linings. Free of the daily push and pull of domestic life, Paul — a fictional example whose story is a compilation of several clients I’ve encountered over the years — was able to focus on building his business, diving headfirst into creating a corporation that was ultimately acquired by a large tech company for many millions.
A New Relationship, But Old Fears
Golden parachute in hand, Paul doesn’t have to work for the first time in his life. But without the driving motivation of building his company, Paul becomes lonely. Then, he meets Julianne. She’s perfect. A Midwestern girl whose beauty and warm personality can light up a room, he can’t wait to see her every day. Soon, he starts thinking about their future together. But he’s gun-shy – the burn of his previous divorces still stings – and his biggest fear is that he may be falling in love with the next future ex-Mrs. Tommins.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Paul believes in the old adage, “Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.” His previous relationships were defined by money. This created a sense of entitlement in his ex-wives that he found intensely distasteful as a self-made man. The mix of his intense work ethic and his exes’ spendthrift ways was a recipe for unhappiness, and he is not going to let himself be fooled a third time.
He asks his family law attorney how he can protect his current assets prior to proposing to his new girlfriend. She recommends that he negotiate a prenuptial agreement.
An Interesting Solution to a Prenup Problem
Unfortunately, for a prenup to be valid, he must reveal all personal assets that will be covered by the agreement. This is exactly what he wants to avoid: He’s not ready to disclose his entire financial universe to Julianne. Money was the cause of his first two divorces; he wants to do everything he can to prevent money from being the cause of a third. But his lawyer warns that most states require parties to a prenup to disclose the assets they own and are planning to bring to the marriage. Without full disclosure, a prenup will not be enforceable, meaning money would definitely be at issue in a divorce.
While a financial planner or a marriage counselor might look at this situation and advise Paul that he should think carefully about whether he should consider getting married if he can’t be open with his partner, the lawyer he chooses has a very different viewpoint. The lawyer offers a simple solution: Don’t own such assets at the time the prenup is signed.
To accomplish this, Paul can form an irrevocable trust for his assets for the benefit of his children or other designated beneficiaries in one of the favorable states that have “no exception creditors,” such as Nevada, Alaska or South Dakota. Paul can even use an offshore jurisdiction to get “suspenders and belt” protection, where the trust can be drafted to provide the trustee with the power to add future beneficiaries, including – but not limited to – Paul.
A Divorce-Proof Proposition
When Paul signs his prenup, he would literally not own the assets previously given to his irrevocable trust, and thus, does not need to disclose them. Should Paul later need or want some or all of the assets held by the trust, the trustee may add him as a beneficiary. This simple “divorce-proof” solution to a tricky problem gives Paul peace of mind as he plans to embark on his new life with beautiful Julianne.
We all hope for the best in any relationship, but hoping for the best and gaining peace of mind are not mutually exclusive. If you or someone you know may benefit from “divorce-proofing” hard-earned assets, contact us before it is too late to take action, and learn how you can achieve peace of mind for years to come.
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Jeffrey M. Verdon, Esq. is the lead asset protection and tax partner at the national full-service law firm of Falcon Rappaport & Berkman. With more than 30 years of experience in designing and implementing integrated estate planning and asset protection structures, Mr. Verdon serves affluent families and successful business owners in solving their most complex and vexing estate tax, income tax, and asset protection goals and objectives. Over the past four years, he has contributed 25 articles to the Kiplinger Building Wealth online platform.
-
Greed, Fear and Market Volatility: A Financial Adviser's Guide to Keeping Emotions Out of Investment Decisions
Don't panic! And don't be so confident in the stock market that you overlook risk. Instead, be logical. Your retirement security could depend on it.
-
Want a Financial Adviser Who Shares Your Faith? Look for One With a CKA Designation
Financial professionals with a Certified Kingdom Advisor certification are committed to integrating biblical principles with sound financial advice.
-
Greed, Fear and Market Volatility: A Financial Adviser's Guide to Keeping Emotions Out of Investment Decisions
Don't panic! And don't be so confident in the stock market that you overlook risk. Instead, be logical. Your retirement security could depend on it.
-
Want a Financial Adviser Who Shares Your Faith? Look for One With a CKA Designation
Financial professionals with a Certified Kingdom Advisor certification are committed to integrating biblical principles with sound financial advice.
-
10 Ways to Stay Safe From Grandparent Scams and Other Fraud, Courtesy of a Financial Planner
Scams are increasingly hard to detect, and anyone can be fooled, from older people to educated professionals. Here are 10 ways to avoid becoming a victim.
-
This Is How the Student Loan Bubble Is Primed to Pop, From a Student Funding Expert
Fueled by easy money, inflated tuition and high default rates, the student loan bubble mirrors the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. We could be headed for a potential financial collapse. What can we do?
-
More Than Money: The Hidden Toll of Financial Abuse of Older Adults
Financial abuse from schemes involving tech support, government impostors, false sweepstakes, grandchild hoaxes and online shopping issues can cause thousands of dollars in losses.
-
I'm a Financial Planner: Here Are Three High-Impact Ways to Make a Difference With Your Dollars
The world often feels out of control, but here are three ways to use your money — through investments, charitable giving and political donations — to help create a more just and sustainable future.
-
The Unsung Hero of Aisle 5: A Tale of Forgotten Change and Compassion at the Supermarket
This supermarket manager went above and beyond to help when a child forgot her change at the checkout counter. You might be surprised at some of the complications that supermarkets face when it comes to customers' forgotten change.
-
Train, Integrate, Retain: A Strategic Playbook for Adviser Onboardings
Build a thriving practice by training new advisers with clear goals, structured processes and consistent mentorship for strong team growth.