Money, Marriage And Divorce

The average cost for a "nice" wedding is about $30,000 dollars, making money and marriage go together like a horse and carriage.  Before you say the words "I Do" as a couple you and your partner should have some serious conversations about money. 

A marriage is a merger.  Merging your life with some one else's and merging your money or financial futures. So, before you take the walk down the aisle, may sure you and your soon to be spouse are on the same page about family finances.  Did you know "money" or financial problems is the number one cause of divorce?  You can't enter into a healthy marriage with secret financial issues.  This is a huge problem with couples just starting out.

These are some things a couple should talk about before getting married, here are some money and marriage questions that should be on your checklist:

• Are you a spender or saver?
• Is your soon to be spouse a spender or saver?
• What are your financial plans for the future?
• What are your individual plans for the future?
• What are your individual credit scores?
• How much do you plan to spend on the wedding itself? 
• How many children do you want?
• How many children does your spouse want?

All of these questions help you determine how your financial future as a married couple will be.  Remember, if you plan on buying a home (property), both your credit history and your spouse's credit history will be reviewed.  This could increase or decrease the amount of house you as a couple can afford. 

Money and Divorce a serious issue -- When a couple breaks-up, not only are you single again -- you are less some cash.  Divorcing couples spend money on attorneys fees, spouse payouts, and child support.  Divorce is an industry within itself.  Divorce attorneys capture $28 billion dollars each year from divorcing couples.  The average divorce cost $28,000 dollars.  However, if you and your spouse can agree to be civil there are ways to save some money during a divorce.

Here are some ways civil divorcing couples can save some money:

• Do It yourself divorce.  Depending on which state you live in, a DIY divorce can cost between $300 to $500 dollars.
• If you and your soon to be divorced spouse are not so civil try mediation.  Mediation is when a third party helps to divided assets and money between you and your spouse.  This is the step before lawyers and court.  The average cost for divorce meditation is between $1500 to $5000 dollars.