Financial considerations before remarriage
By Lis McNealey Davies, CDFA®
Owner, Financial Advisor
Take it from someone like me who recently got remarried, getting married a second time around has its advantages. We all learn from our past and can use that knowledge to make choices that are better and better for us. With that in mind, there are some items to consider before getting remarried. These items do not mean you should not get remarried, but you should address them.
Spousal support and remarriage/cohabitation
You want to read your divorce decree to see how spousal support is impacted if you remarry or cohabitate with someone. It is important to know if you will have a loss of income due to getting remarried.
Social security
Depending on how long you were married in your previous marriage, you may be eligible to receive benefits from your first husband, assuming you aren’t remarried. This may not change your choice in remarrying, but it is good to know the facts first.
Protect your assets
As much as no one plans to get divorced, life throws us curve balls and it can happen. Protect your assets the second time around. Either meet with an attorney to have a prenuptial agreement drawn up so your assets can not go to your future spouse should that marriage end in divorce or keep the statement(s) from the last month before your marriage so that you have documentation showing any pre-marital assets.
Talk finances
Talk with your fiancé regarding money. Have an open and honest conversation of income, expenses, fears over money, concerns over spending habits and form goals with your fiancé so that you both are on the same page going into the marriage.
Lis McNealey Davies is owner of The Arlington Group Investment Consulting. A true leader in the female focused financial advisory niche, Lis builds upon the group’s strong foundation and core offerings to drive growth and champion the group as an emerging advisory company in the divorce, widowed and life transition niches. As a previous divorcee and mom to three wonderful daughters, Lis understands firsthand the importance of financial confidence.
The use of the CDFA® designation does not permit Wells Fargo Advisors or its Financial Advisors to provide legal advice, nor is it meant to imply that the firm or its associates are acting as experts in this field. Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is not a tax or legal advisor. Be sure to consult with your own tax and legal advisors before taking any action that may have tax or legal consequences.
Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC (WFAFN), Member SIPC. The Arlington Group Investment Consulting, LLC is a separate entity from WFAFN.