Love Later in Life and Why Legal Planning Matters

Grey Proposals: Love Later in Life and Why Legal Planning Matters

Love doesn’t retire. Across the UK, more and more people in their 60s, 70s, and even 80s are getting engaged. These so-called grey proposals are a reminder that companionship and commitment have no age limit.

Whether it’s finding love after widowhood, reconnecting with an old flame, or meeting someone new in a retirement community, later-life engagements are thriving. According to the Office for National Statistics, marriages among those aged 65 and over rose by nearly 50% in a decade, and first-time marriages for over-50s have almost doubled in recent years. Love later in life is not just a romantic notion; it’s a growing reality.

But while the heart may be ageless, the practical considerations of marrying later in life are very different from those of a first marriage in your twenties and thirties. Couples in their golden years often bring decades of life experience, and significant assets, into the relationship. This can include property portfolios, pensions, savings, and family legacies. Many also have children and grandchildren whose inheritance needs to be protected. Without careful planning, marriage can unintentionally alter inheritance rights and create disputes between families. For example, if one partner owns a home outright and moves into a retirement village with their new spouse, what happens if they pass away? Without a clear agreement, the surviving spouse may have a legal claim to the property, potentially displacing children or disrupting inheritance plans.

This is where a prenuptial agreement becomes essential. Far from being unromantic, a prenup is an act of care and respect for yourselves and for your families. It provides clarity and peace of mind, ensuring that both partners understand how assets will be treated during the marriage and in the event of separation or death. For older couples, a prenup can safeguard property and investments built over a lifetime, preserve inheritance rights for children from previous relationships, and plan for care costs associated with assisted living or retirement communities. It’s about protecting what matters most while celebrating a new chapter together.

Unfortunately, research shows that 99% of couples over 55 do not have a prenup, even though they are often the ones who need it most. In contrast, younger couples are increasingly embracing prenups as standard practice. For those entering a second or third marriage later in life, with significant premarital assets and family obligations, a prenup is not just advisable – it’s vital.

A prenup is only part of the picture. Later-life marriages often require a review of your will and estate planning arrangements. Marriage can revoke an existing will in England and Wales, which means your previous wishes may no longer apply. Updating your will ensures that your intentions are clear and legally enforceable, whether that’s providing for your new spouse, protecting children from previous relationships, or managing complex assets like property and pensions. Estate planning can also help minimise inheritance tax and avoid disputes between blended families.

At Gilson Gray, we offer a holistic approach, combining family law expertise with wills and estate planning services, so you can enjoy this exciting chapter with complete peace of mind.

Finding love in your golden years is a gift. Protecting that gift ensures it comes without complications. If you, or someone you know, is planning a grey proposal, contact our Family Law team for advice.

If you need advice on any family law matters in England and Wales only, please contact Linda at Gilson Gray for a confidential discussion. This article was coauthored by Linda Pope, Sharan Bhinder-Dhonsi, and Hannah Bruneau.

The information and opinions contained in this blog are for information only.  They are not intended to constitute advice and should not be relied upon or considered as a replacement for advice.  Before acting on any information contained in this blog, please seek solicitor’s advice from Gilson Gray.