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Don't start hating until you read all of it. These tips are a collection of conversation snippets with several of my friends.
1. And of course, the most important one: Don't get married for wrong reasons. If a person is forcing you into marital "bliss" for whatever reason - don't do it. There are other fish in the sea and getting divorced WILL BE expensive.
2. If you did get married and have a spouse hellbent on shopping (goes both ways, fellas) you will still be able to save. DO NOT open a separate bank account. In case of divorce his/her lawyer can and will FREEZE all of your bank accounts and subpoena usage records, secret or not. Ask you parents to open one and give you authorized access OR get a safe deposit box which you can always empty without trace should the big "D" come up.
3. Again, you got married, but you are still not trusting and don't want to lose half of your stuff. When buying a house, put it in your parents' name. Your spouse won't be able to claim that property. Same when buying a car.
4. This is a tip for tracking spending and testing someone (also helpful to produce as evidence during divorce). Get a credit card for your spouse with set limit on daily spending and immediate charge notification. This way if your spouse bought a pack of gum you will get immediate e-mail (or text), thank you Blackberry!
and last tip: exchange and discuss both of your CREDIT REPORTS before becoming legally entangled, it will provide a very clear picture on the person's financial maturity. A lot of banks offer free finance management consultation and review for the bank account holders. Maybe if you guided and helped your spouse understand financial responsibility and how it affects your financial stability as a couple, you wouldn't have to stress yourself hiding money. You would be surprised how many people are clueless about how credit and debt works when there are 2 people involved.
Remember: even if the debt was acquired in the other person's name it could still be split in half in court. That's the way the marriage works - you get the good and the bad (unless your lawyer is reaaaallly good
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Good luck!08-03-09 08:40 AM
Plus, isn't that kind of illegal?
