Most of us build wealth and accumulate assets over time. But do you know that your hard-earned assets may be subject to division in the event you are going through a divorce?

Matrimonial assets are

  • Assets acquired by one or both parties during the marriage
  • Assets acquired before the marriage but used or enjoyed by one or both parties or their children
  • Assets acquired before the marriage but substantially improved in quality during the marriage

Some common matrimonial assets include but are not limited to, matrimonial homes, joint accounts, jewellery, vehicles, etc.

Understanding the assets that may or may not form part of matrimonial assets is vital. Most importantly, how can you manage and structure your assets so that these assets will not be subject to division?

When you are single, you invest your surplus cash into deposits, unit trusts, equities, and insurance policies. When you are in a relationship, it is common for you to pool your money with your potential spouse to invest, save, and grow both your money for your wedding, new home, and future family. When married, it’s generally anticipated that couples will combine their finances. Pooling money together is acceptable as long as the money is considered a shared matrimonial asset.

If the money is not part of your matrimonial assets, it is NEVER wise to pool it together with your potential spouse or spouse.

Your parents may have given you some money to invest on their behalf. It is vital to have a separate account to invest for them. Refrain from mixing their money and yours together. Create a separate account for them, where you can be the account holder with full authority to operate the account. Maintaining documentation that clearly indicates the funds belong to your parents or other individuals is crucial, especially in the event of a divorce.

Steps involved in Assets Management

  • Identify the assets that may not form part of matrimonial assets.

  • Separate assets acquired before marriage from assets acquired after marriage and account with your spouse.

  • Separate inheritance and gifts from your assets acquired after marriage and account with your spouse.

  • Distinguish and separate funds entrusted to you by your parents, siblings, and others from the assets you acquire after marriage and joint accounts with your spouse.

  • Structure the way you manage your assets.

  • Segregate the non-matrimonial assets from the matrimonial assets.

  • Explore different tools to protect your assets from the division of matrimonial assets.


In summary, assets management encompasses strategies to manage and protect your assets from unintended parties or division. It is a critical step to help individuals, or even married couples, manage the risk of losing their hard-earned assets when considering a foreseeable divorce.

Disclaimer:

This content is meant for information purposes or reference only and is not to be relied upon as professional or legal advice. This content does not constitute either advice or an offer or an invitation to offer to acquire, dispose of, subscribe for, or underwrite any of the financial instruments described herein.

While we have taken care to check the source of information, we cannot guarantee that the information is accurate, complete, or will suit your financial consultation needs. You should seek advice from an attorney or professional who will be able to provide you with the relevant advice before you make any decision.

All details such as names, characters, places, companies and scenarios are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.