Episode 37: Divorce, Death and Your Money: The Conversations You Can’t Afford to Avoid - Interview with Marcos Kallou

**Episode 37: Divorce, Death and Your Money: The Conversations You Can’t Afford to Avoid with Marcos Kallou** What happens to your home if you die while you are separated? Does your ex still have a potential claim on your estate after divorce? Does your partner automatically have rights if you have lived together for years? And could your spouse make decisions for you if you suddenly lost capacity? These are questions most of us would rather not think about. Unfortunately, waiting until something goes wrong can leave the people we love facing legal complexity, financial uncertainty and difficult decisions at the very moment they are least equipped to deal with them. In Episode 37 of Dare to Speak: Difficult Conversations That Change Everything, Eve Stanway talks with Marcos Kallou BA (Hons) FIPW, award-winning estate planner and founder of Prior Knowledge, about the things we need to consider around wills, estate planning and Lasting Powers of Attorney, particularly during separation, divorce, remarriage and cohabitation. They explore why divorce itself does not necessarily resolve every financial issue between former spouses, why the way you own your home matters, and why believing you have a “common-law marriage” can leave unmarried couples without the legal protection they thought they had. Marcos also explains the difference between simply writing a will and taking a wider approach to estate planning: asking the difficult “what if?” questions before life asks them for us. In this episode, Eve and Marcos discuss: \- Why separation and divorce should prompt a review of your will and estate planning \- Joint tenants versus tenants in common and why the distinction matters \- Severing a joint tenancy following separation \- Why getting divorced and resolving your financial affairs are not necessarily the same thing \- The importance of dealing with financial arrangements following divorce \- How divorce can affect your inheritance tax position \- Why “common-law marriage” does not provide the legal protection many couples assume it does \- The particular considerations for unmarried couples who live together \- Protecting children and inheritances following remarriage and within blended families \- Why trusting somebody is different from planning for circumstances that may change \- Why wills should be reviewed as life changes \- Why Lasting Powers of Attorney matter even when you are married \- What can happen to bank accounts, property and financial decisions if somebody loses capacity \- Property and financial affairs versus health and welfare Lasting Powers of Attorney \- Why planning for incapacity can be every bit as important as planning for death \- How having difficult conversations now can prevent confusion, conflict and distress later Estate planning isn't only about death One of the most important messages from this conversation is that estate planning is not simply about preparing for what happens when we die. It is about taking responsibility for what happens when life changes. A separation. A divorce. A new relationship. A second marriage. Children from different relationships. An inheritance. A serious illness. A sudden loss of capacity. Each can completely alter the landscape. Having these conversations while you are able to make clear, considered decisions can be an extraordinary act of care for the people around you. Difficult conversations can feel uncomfortable when we begin them. On the other side of them there can be clarity, connection and peace of mind. About Marcos Kallou Marcos Kallou BA (Hons) FIPW has worked as an estate planner since 2004 and is a Fellow of the Institute of Professional Willwriters (IPW). He runs Prior Knowledge, a multi-award-winning wills and estate planning firm with offices in Epping, Essex, and Skipton, North Yorkshire. Alongside his work with clients, Marcos is an IPW examiner and a member of the Institute's Technical Support team. His approach goes beyond simply writing a will, helping individuals and families think through the wider questions surrounding inheritance, property, trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and protecting the people they love. **Connect with Marcos** Prior Knowledge – Wills and Estate Planning Website: priorknowledge.co.uk Marcos: 07901 542838 Prior Knowledge works with clients across the country, with offices in Epping, Essex, and Skipton, North Yorkshire. Thank you for listening. If you would like to comment or share a difficult conversation topic for a future podcast, please message me.🫶✨️ **Connect with Eve Stanway** If this episode has resonated with you, the conversation does not have to stop here. If you would like to explore working with Eve, book a free 20-minute chat. This is a relaxed, confidential opportunity to talk about what is happening, what support you need and whether working together feels right for you. Website: www.evestanway.co.uk Email: [eve@evestanway.co.uk](mailto:eve@evestanway.co.uk) If you would like thoughtful, non-judgemental support away from the noise and exposure of social media, you are warmly invited to join Eve’s **Dare to Speak Community**. It is a private online space where you can learn how to approach difficult conversations with greater confidence, manage emotional overwhelm and feel supported by people who understand how hard these situations can be. You will also have access to Eve’s courses, expert interviews, monthly webinars and live Power Hour question-and-answer sessions. Join the Dare to Speak Community: https://join.evestanway.co.uk/ You can also connect with Eve here: Instagram: @evestanway Facebook: Eve Stanway LinkedIn: Eve Stanway YouTube: @evestanway TikTok: @evestanway Substack: Eve Stanway If you are navigating separation or divorce and want to approach it with clarity rather than conflict, visit ...