Research by law firm Nockolds shows that cases involving the “matrimonialisation” of assets have more than tripled in two years, climbing from 800 in 2022–23 to around 3,200 in 2024–25. The term refers to the process by which one partner’s pre-marital property becomes shared during marriage and therefore subject to division upon divorce.
Family lawyers say the increase reflects not only more complex financial arrangements such as offshore trusts and family investment companies but also generational changes in how wealth is held and displayed online.
“Younger couples have much larger digital footprints,” said Joanne Edwards, a partner at Forsters. “That creates privacy and reputational risks, as well as potential for digital harassment after separation.”
Cryptocurrency holdings are another emerging battleground. “The near-constant fluctuation in crypto values means wealth today could be gone tomorrow,” Edwards explained. “It makes financial settlements much harder to finalise.”
Although most Gen Z clients are not wealthy, their mix of digital assets, side hustles, and shared debts can make financial disentanglement especially complex.
The latest government data shows 2022 recorded the highest number of marriages in England and Wales since 2016. While fewer people now marry by age 25 compared with earlier generations, marriage rates among Gen Z those born between 1997 and 2006 have stabilised.
Lawyers say this cohort is increasingly pragmatic about protecting their finances. “Modern young couples see pre-nups as standard,” said Edwards. “Even where there isn’t much to protect, they still want to keep their fruits for themselves.”
But Kaja Viknes, of Nockolds, cautioned that nuptial agreements themselves can spark conflict. “Judicial discretion still plays a major role,” she said. “Outcomes often depend on how judges interpret intention, conduct and fairness.”
Suzanne Todd, a partner at Withers, said attitudes to divorce have softened. “There’s far less shame now,” she said. “And with no-fault divorce since 2022, there’s no more mud-slinging couples can move on without the blame game.”
