Dear Quentin, I am 62 and about to remarry. I have significant assets. My attorney recommended a prenuptial agreement to my fiancée and has offered sound estate-planning advice. I recently purchased a house and placed my fiancée, 56, on the title as joint owner with rights of survivorship. I put $600,000 down with a $192,000 mortgage, which my fiancée paid off. That was generous and welcome, as she should have some equity in the house, but is 50% equity fair?
My fiancée insists that we remain 50/50 in the case of divorce and wants to inherit the house upon my death. My attorney recommended that a 75/25 split be recognized in an amended title, prenup and will, so I can leave a 75% interest to my children. My future wife would live in the house for the remainder of her life, but she must leave 75% of the value of the home to my children. She refuses and promises to amend her will to leave something to my children. Is there anything I can do at this point? My lawyer recommends that I don’t sign a prenuptial agreement and don’t get married under these conditions. Perplexed in ColoradoDear Perplexed, This is …