For many, talking finances before walking down the aisle is the epitome of anti-romanticism. But host Pat Barbarito and featured guest Gary Botwinick believe that having a clear understanding of your individual and combined assets – and how you both expect to manage those – at the beginning of a marriage can actually lay the groundwork for a wonderful future or shine a light on irreconcilable incompatibility before it becomes devastating heartbreak. 

Highlights include: 

• Legal documents that everyone, regardless of marital status, should have e.g., will, living will, healthcare proxy, power of attorney, etc., and the importance of regularly reviewing the terms outlined;
• The legal rights and obligations one spouse owes another, e.g., forced inheritance, elective shares; 
• Recommendations on when to have the prenuptial conversation with your potential partner and why it should cover more eventualities than a potential divorce; 
• How preparing for divorce can and should impact financial decisions even before the proceedings are final;
• Why you shouldn’t depend on the terms in a will or a divorce decree to decide the distribution of your wealth;
• How cryptocurrencies and NFTs will challenge how assets are currently discovered; and so much more.

BONUS: Gary’s #1 tip on how to avoid being surprised by your financial reality even if your spouse manages household income and investments.

READING: Thoughts On Estate Planning When The Honeymoon Is Over And After The Divorce

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