Blog
Futureproofing your business and personal finances from the big ‘d’ … divorce
Amy Woolliscroft29th September 2026
Our latest blog is a difficult one – we’re talking about safeguarding your business and financial future from the repercussions of divorce. It’s not something anyone wants to think about, but with 42% of marriages ending that way [1], futureproofing should be part of your business and personal financial planning.
Putting plans in place that help protect you and your business are particularly prevalent on the family farm, where divorce can lead to the fragmentation of land that has been in the family for generations and disrupting future generations’ ability to continue farming.
The steps that will help protect finances in divorce are also fundamental to healthy finances whatever your personal situation, so let’s explore what financial and legal tools can help futureproof your business and personal finances if divorce does come down the path.
Managing your assets successfully is key to providing financial clarity if you are going through a divorce. Maintaining individual bank accounts for personal and business income is essential, especially on a family farm, while keeping track of inherited money and assets so it does not mix with joint marital funds is also important.
We know that on the farm it can be all too easy to intermingle pre-marital funds to pay down on business debts or improve shared farm assets without a clear record. Whilst no one wants to start off in marriage expecting divorce, keeping your personal pre- and post-marital cash and assets clearly recorded and ideally separate is beneficial to running any farm business with clarity.
Good record keeping of documents like tax returns, bank statements and asset lists in a secure place is fundamental to this. We can work with your accountants to help maintain accurate records.
Something we discuss frequently with our clients is the importance of maintaining good records of any retirement plans and any protection policies, as well as reviewing their beneficiaries to make sure they are up to date. These plans and policies will be considered in any divorce settlement so it’s important they stay relevant and you have all the details to hand.
At Accession, we also work closely with a range of legal professionals to help clients maintain good legal practices too, from prenuptial and postnuptial agreements to cohabitation agreements. These can all help form a framework of expectations should a marriage end in divorce, or if an unmarried couple separates.
As with managing most unexpected situations, it’s always better to be as prepared as you possibly can be, before things go wrong. That means starting financial planning as early as possible and making it part of your normal life. Financial planning for all your hopes and dreams for your future together also puts both of you in a strong and clear position if things do go wrong.
A marriage is based on love and respect, and we believe that keeping things clear from a financial perspective can help reduce disagreements, speed up the process (which should also positively impact legal bills), and maintain that respect at the end of a relationship too.
Imagine if you need to unpick all your finances - who paid what for what, what money and assets you both had prior to marriage, any inheritances you both received and where they went – when you are in an emotionally vulnerable position. That will not help either party maintain respect for the other or ensure that both receive a fair settlement.
It would be so much easier if you could just call your trusted financial adviser and say – “help”!
It is never too late or too early to find a financial planner that suits you and your family, supporting you through all of life’s changes.
Please note that any legal advice is separate and distinct the services provided by SJP.
Accession specialises in providing high-quality, face-to-face financial planning for farming and rural families, professionals, and rural businesses across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and the surrounding counties.
If you or someone you know would benefit from speaking to one of our advisers about planning for the future, please do contact us on 01832 279170 or accession@sjpp.co.uk to discuss your requirements and get an appointment in the diary.
[1] Office for National Statistics, July 2025.
SJP Approved 29/9/2026