Predatory marriage is when someone who doesn’t have the required mental capacity to consent to marriage is taken advantage of by someone else, leading to them getting married. Often, they do not understand what is happening to them or what legal papers they are signing. They may not know or understand that they are married.
Adults with cognitive or mental health impairments like learning disabilities or dementia are particularly at risk.
Predators will target, groom and marry someone to take their money, belongings and property, to abuse them, or to control them. Being married revokes any existing will, so the predator will inherit the estate when the vulnerable person dies.
If there is a power of attorney acting on behalf of a person who is at risk, that attorney is not automatically notified when the person enters into a marriage.
Predatory Marriage is mostly carried out in secret without family or friends knowing or suspecting that it is happening, but there are some signs that someone is at risk, including:
• a new or secretive friendship or relationship, often with a large age difference
• being confused about who the new person in their life is
• being influenced or controlled by someone new in their life
• being isolated from existing family and friends
• being worried to discuss their relationship
If you are worried that a predatory marriage has happened, or that someone is at risk, it is important to tell someone.
Concerns can be reported to Leeds City Council Adults & Health https://www.leedssab.org.uk/public/reporting-abuse
Contact the Forced Marriage Unit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage