Finance1 min read

Couples think beyond tax savings of joint assets

By · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Legal and financial advisors at the ET Wealth Expo 2026 cautioned that maintaining investments under a single spouse's name risks severe fund access delays during sudden incapacitation, divorce, or death. Establishing joint ownership and maintaining continuity plans ensures both partners can retrieve capital when unexpected crises emerge. This structural planning protects family wealth far more effectively than merely chasing immediate tax reductions. Additionally, couples buying property together must explicitly document their individual financial contributions to determine ownership percentages and resolve potential disputes.

Key points

  • Spouses must structure joint assets and update nominees regularly to prevent fund delays…: Spouses must structure joint assets and update nominees regularly to prevent fund delays during emergencies.
  • Explicit documentation of personal financial contributions prevents future tax complicati…: Explicit documentation of personal financial contributions prevents future tax complications and safeguards individual interests during disputes.
  • Drafting a precise Will is essential because designated legal heirs retain ultimate owner…: Drafting a precise Will is essential because designated legal heirs retain ultimate ownership over standard nominees.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Saving income tax is important for couples but they must also ensure that their assets remain accessible. assets should be available to both partners in various situations.

At the ET Wealth Expo 2026, a panel of experts including Aditi Sharma, Partner, Khaitan & Co, CA Nitin Kaushik, Founder-Partner, AMKN & Co Chartered Accountants, Suresh Sadagopan, founder, Ladder7 Financial Advisories and Hiten Shah, Tax Partner, EY India, discussed this topics. They also covered other aspects like how married couples can manage their finances and get ready for multiple eventualities like death, divorce, disability, etc.

Sharma says that if the assets are held by only one individual spouse then it can create delays in accessing this asset in case of incapacity or sudden demise . This is why updating the nominees in financial accounts is very important.

Hiten Shah, Tax Partner, EY said that if a married couple wants to jointly buy an asset say property then it is important that the source of funding for this house property is clearly demarcated else it may create tax disputes later on. This can…

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