In her Financial Post article, Anna-Marie delivers a stark warning to parents acting as the “Bank of Mom and Dad”: without proper documentation, generous financial support to married children can vanish in divorce proceedings. Drawing on real cases where parents watched helplessly as down payment gifts, business loans, and financial assistance became matrimonial property split with an ex-spouse, she illustrates how well-intentioned parental generosity often lacks the legal protections needed to survive family breakdown. The article cuts through the uncomfortable reality that many parents assume their money is protected simply because “it came from us,” only to discover that informal arrangements, verbal agreements, and even email confirmations rarely hold up when marriages end. Anna-Marie provides essential guidance on structuring parental loans with promissory notes, security agreements, and coordinated prenuptial planning—transforming what might be a devastating financial loss into a properly documented, legally enforceable transaction. For parents contemplating significant financial support to their children, this article is required reading before writing that first cheque.
https://financialpost.com/moneywise-pro/growing-money/the-bank-of-mom-and-dad-could-lose-big-money-if-the-kids-get-divorced