12 Financial Considerations Before Saying ‘I Do’ Again
You've found that special someone again, and you're preparing to walk down the aisle with what you hope is your lifelong partner. However, before you say I do again, there are a few financial considerations that you should discuss with your future partner to ensure that you are both aligned on your financial priorities.
From assessing your need for life insurance to creating a prenuptial agreement, here are 12 answers to the question, "What are some financial tips you should consider when remarrying?"
Financial Considerations Before Saying 'I Do' Again
Assess Your Need for Life Insurance
If you're remarrying, you may have step-children or your own children that will create a blended family. Children can be expensive, so it's important to ensure that your new family is covered with appropriate life insurance. Talk to your insurance carrier to ensure that you have sufficient life insurance to protect your new family should the unexpected happen.
Matthew Ramirez, CEO, Rephrasely
Consider Blended Expenditures
Saying 'I do' again may come with new costs if two families are blending. This can be especially true when children are involved. The increase in the number of children in a family or the cost differences of children in different stages of life can mean a varied impact on your finances.
You may want to take some time to get a handle on the new costs you may be taking on as a couple when it comes to blending your families and consider any changes that might need to be made to handle them. The sooner you do this, the easier the transition will be for everyone involved.
Max Schwartzapfel, CMO, Schwartzapfel Lawyers
See my feature in Self: How to Begin the Process of Combining Finances
Be Transparent About Finances With Your New Partner
Remarrying after divorce or the death of a spouse is never easy, but financial considerations must be taken into account. One important tip to consider when remarrying is to recognize that your life and finances have changed. For example, taking time to look over and revise estate planning documents might be wise even if you have created them in the past; this ensures that all of your affairs are organized should something happen to you or your new partner.
Further, for those interested in making sure their finances merge smoothly with their new partners, assessing both partners' credit reports and working together on building financial trust and transparency may be useful. This uncommon example can help create a secure foundation before money issues become more complicated further on down the road.
Carly Hill, Operations Manager, VirtualHolidayParty.com
Have Honest Communication About Financial Goals
When remarrying, honest communication about financial goals is key for long-term success. Be honest with yourself and your partner about your current situation, including any pre-existing debt, and create a plan on how to proceed.
Tax implications may change after marriage, so it is wise to seek professional advice from a qualified tax preparer or financial advisor about any adjustments that need to be made. Establishing a joint savings account will help you start reaching the larger financial goals you created together.
Start budgeting and keeping track of spending habits to ensure both partners stay within their planned limits while pursuing their agreed-upon goals. By communicating openly and having conversations surrounding money regularly, couples can better achieve their respective objectives in marriage.
Jim Campbell, Owner, Camp Media
Consolidate and Close Duplicate Bank Accounts
I recommend consolidating and closing duplicate accounts when remarried. This can help to simplify your financial situation and make it easier to manage. Consolidating your accounts means gathering your assets into a single account, such as a joint bank account, and streamlining them so that all of your finances are in one place. Closing duplicate accounts is also important, as too many can be confusing and unnecessarily complicate your financial situation. It will help you to have more clarity and control over your finances, making it easier to manage.
Tiffany Homan, COO, Texas Divorce Laws
Look at Your Partner's Financial History
It might have crossed your mind to look at your partner's current financial situation and even future financial possibilities. But what about their financial history? Many never think to look at this, and it's a financial tip that might help you prepare and know what step to take next. For many, it might not be possible to access their financial history. But if you can, please do! This might save you a lot of financial pain in the future.
Lydia Mwangi, Content Writer, Barbell Jobs
Give Details of Any Debts, Including Child Support
When considering remarriage, it's essential to discuss the debt or child support you have in advance. If you have children outside the relationship, your partner may know you have child support. However, informing them of the amount of your child support, credit card, student loan debt, and any other debt can ensure that consideration is given to your financial situation when setting future goals. Providing this information can ensure that both partners enter the marriage on the same page with finances and distribute income, expenses, and saving for goals accordingly.
Annette Harris, Owner, Harris Financial Coaching
Make and Compare Lists of Financial Priorities
Talk about your financial priorities with your partner so that you can both better understand how you think. It may help to sit down with your partner and create separate lists of what you both find to be financially important to you. You can compare your lists, discuss your thought processes, and compromise on areas you disagree on.
You're working as a team now, so you need to respect and understand each other to be an effective partnership. Take some time to ensure that you're both on the same page regarding money matters. This can help you avoid conflicts later down the road or, at the very least, give you the foundations to solve a disagreement if one should arise.
Max Ade, CEO, Pickleheads
Become Aligned With Your Partner
Remarrying has been both a scary and an incredibly rewarding experience. However, one of the most important things that my husband and I did when remarrying was to take time to understand each other's non-negotiables regarding spending habits, finances, and long-term goals for our family. While you may not agree on everything and share perspectives on other issues, it's vital to ensure that you are aligned in your financial goals and that all your financial obligations are on the table for one another.
Finances can be very polarizing, but if you and your spouse are aligned on your long-term goals, you can rest assured that you'll avoid many unnecessary arguments along the way. And if you're not aligned on such an important consideration, maybe it's time to consider finding a better match.
Stephanie Jenkins, Founder, Stephanie Jenkins Photo
Define Non-marital Assets
Defining non-marital assets before remarrying is one major consideration. Unclear timelines around asset acquisition can easily cause issues at the bank and in your personal life. Make sure to read up on what is legally defined as a non-marital asset and talk with an attorney to ensure those items are justified before the big day.
Alexandre Robicquet, Co-founder and CEO, Crossing Minds
Work With a Financial Advisor
The best financial tip I can give when remarrying is to consolidate and organize all financial accounts, including bank accounts, investment accounts, and retirement accounts.
This is essential to help both partners understand their combined assets and liabilities and can make it easier to create a joint financial plan moving forward. It may also be a good idea to work with a financial advisor to help assess the financial situation, make any necessary adjustments, and ensure that the couple's assets are properly allocated to meet their long-term financial goals.
Ralitsa Dodova, Content Writer, Buzzlogic
Create a Prenuptial Agreement
One of the essential financial tips for someone considering remarriage is to create a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement is a legal document that outlines the financial responsibilities of each person entering into the marriage and how assets and debts will be divided in the event of a divorce. It also sets out each party's rights and obligations concerning retirement benefits, insurance policies, and other financial matters. Considering a prenuptial agreement before marriage, each party can have peace of mind and protect their financial interests.
Ben Basic, CEO, Router IP Net