Financial Planning 101: What Newlyweds Should Know

You just got married. You're ready to start your life together—but what about your finances? This may not be the most exciting aspect of your new, “just married" life together, but it's one of the most important.

Get peace of mind with a comprehensive estate plan

Trustpilot star rating bar
financial planning 101 what newlyweds should know

Contents

Updated on: November 2, 2022
Read time: 5 min

You just got married. You're ready to start your life together—sharing breakfast, binge-watching shows, planning a family.

But what about your finances? This may not be the most exciting aspect of your new, “just married" life together, but it's one of the most important. Every newlywed couple should take some time to seriously discuss their financial reality and financial future.

Here are the central topics you should make sure to cover and some tips on how to approach these conversations.

A woman and a man dressed in wedding attire hold hands. When you get married, there are a range of issues to consider to put you on the right foot.

Get to know each other's finances and mindset

If you haven't already done this before becoming newlyweds, you should immediately have a fully honest conversation about the status of your current finances and your approach to financial management. This means being vulnerable and reserving judgment about your new spouse's financial situation and habits.

“This might be the first time you've revealed your full financial picture to another person, so being guarded can be understandable," says Riley Adams, a licensed CPA who maintains Young and the Invested, a personal finance site for young people. “As this is the person you plan to be with for life, you're best served by being honest and upfront."

Sean Mullaney, financial planner and owner of Mullaney Financial & Tax Inc., recommends sharing with each other three months' worth of credit card and checking account statements, two years' tax returns, and a balance sheet (a statement that lists all your assets and liabilities).

Doing so will give you both a good idea of what you each make; your average monthly spending; and what you have and owe as a couple.

“See each other's spending, ask questions," he says. “It could be, 'Is there a problem here?' It's a way to build financial intimacy."

Have a future-focused conversation

Once you've discussed the financial reality of your partnership, the next step is to talk about what comes next. This means discussing your goals and zeroing in on how to meet them.

“Before you make steps in any direction, you'll first want to be aligned on financial goals—ideally both near-term and long-term," says Adams. “Based on those priorities, you should start seeing the best path forward on handling your financial affairs."

For example, Mullaney suggests discussing what you each envision for retirement and what that will cost. Talk about the plan that will make that vision come true.

Get down to brass tacks

The scene- and goal-setting conversations are imperative for getting you on the same page. But there are some more practical decisions that you need to make, many of which will be informed by those first discussions.

Beneficiary designations

Marriage is a “life event," says Mullaney—a moment at which you are permitted to change things like beneficiary designations. Many people may have life insurance beneficiaries listed from their pre-marriage circumstances. It's important to update these.

In most cases, married couples list each other as beneficiaries on their life insurance, but this doesn't happen automatically. Failing to update your beneficiary may result in your life insurance payout being assigned to someone else.

“There are horror stories about pension plans," mentions Mullaney. “Say where they put their sister down at age 22, then they get married at 25, then 20 years later they die and the only beneficiary form is for the sister."

Estate planning

Getting married is a good time to establish an estate plan. Where will you live? Are you buying a house together? Are you moving into one or the other's house? What will happen to that house upon someone's death?

You may decide to establish a mechanism like a revocable trust so your spouse can get control of your house sooner rather than later. The key is to think through your circumstances, potential future scenarios, and legal methods of keeping your estate secure.

Insurance

Insurance planning is another important element to consider at the outset of your life together. You may want to consider everything from auto policies to umbrella insurance. For example, if you each have separate auto policies, getting married is the right time to decide which policy you'll both be on together. Ditto employer-provided medical insurance. Covering both of you on one of your policies may help you save on premiums, deductibles, and other costs. “This can be a nice opportunity to optimize," says Mullaney.

A woman and a man dressed in wedding attire hold hands. When you get married, there are a range of issues to consider to put you on the right foot.

Banking and investing

Many married couples manage a single joint bank account to finance daily life. Others use a his-hers-and-theirs arrangement with separate individual accounts and a joint account. There is no “right" way to set up banking as a couple save whatever you've both agreed upon.

Similarly, there is no prescribed way of allocating your joint investments; the only important thing is that you've agreed on how you're managing them. While some couples assign one person to manage all the couple's investments, in other cases each person maintains their own separate portfolio. The key is being aware of and in accordance on these arrangements, whatever they may be.

Consider hiring a professional

All the topics listed above are complex. Discussing them with a new partner can leave anyone—no matter how financially savvy—feeling overwhelmed. In some cases, the help of a financial professional may help you get a handle on difficult conversations.

Adams suggests professionals for specific situations: “If you've got tax issues, a CPA is your best bet. If you've got student loan debt, perhaps consulting a debt counselor would make sense. If you need assistance with getting your entire financial house in order, a fee-based fiduciary financial planning professional is a good option."

If you do decide to hire a financial professional, Mullaney suggests interviewing multiple potential advisors to see how you feel about them, their fee model, and what are they going to give you for that fee.

And don't forget to think about whether they are a good fit for your partner as well as yourself. Remember, you're in this together now.

Get peace of mind with a comprehensive estate planStart my estate plan
Twitter logoFacebook logoLinkedIn logoReddit logo

This article is for informational purposes. This content is not legal advice, it is the expression of the author and has not been evaluated by LegalZoom for accuracy or changes in the law.

71 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

legal zoom is the way to go

The representative was very knowledgeable about how long it takes to transfer a deed from one person to the next he explained everything and he was very pleasant when speaking to him

Ross
71 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I find that LegalZoom has all the…

I find that LegalZoom has all the answers if you're starting a business an LLC and incorporation or you're doing a trust or a Will. These are the people you want to trust don't go to an expensive attorney you're just throwing your money away. Legal soon gets five stars!

Sean Christopher
71 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I spoke to the representative today about a Trust...

I spoke to the representative today regarding a question about an existing Living Trust. She was very helpful - told me exactly what I needed to know and how to accomplish it. As a representative in the Financial field I guide clients all the time on where to get documents done right - and its always LegalZoom - easy and effecient!

Gareth
80 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

We could not be more Pleased with the…

We could not be more Pleased with the help and service we had during the up dating of our Living Will and Advanced Directive

Richard Poulton
83 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Legal Assistance for the rest of us

Legal Zoom has made it easy and affordable for us to create an LLC, a Will, and a Trust for our families.

K Chapman
86 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

pleasant and willing representatives…

pleasant and willing representatives ready to help me navigate through your system and supply attorney contact information for my legal questions for my last will & testament

Mark Impink
86 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

LegalZoom .com has exceptional, real, staff to help. I met one!

I purchased multiple accounts to update both our Living Wills and Estate Plans. After utilizing LegalZoom.com’s user-friendly and intuitive platform for these legal documents, I found it necessary to call for clarification on some information within our account. I spoke with Sandra Balderas, who expertly addressed the mistakes I had inadvertently made. Her professionalism and friendliness greatly enhanced the experience. I realized that LegalZoom is not only a straightforward website to navigate for such complex matters, but it also boasts exceptional employees. Thank you, LegalZoom.com, and especially Sandra Balderas, for guiding me through the process. I’m thrilled to have discovered LegalZoom.com.

Max -Phoenix, Arizona
86 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Sarah was most helpful today regarding updating my estate plan

Sarah was most helpful today regarding updating my LZ docs created 3 years ago. She made sure I had all the information I needed, not just what I asked for. Thank you Sarah!

Diane Floyd
92 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Quick and easy experience creating a…

Quick and easy experience creating a will package.

Kristin Steel
97 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Used them past 10 years

Used them past 10 years. I needed another will and power of attorney.

MERLYN C
97 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Tammy was wonderful and very…

Tammy was wonderful and very knowledgeable. It's because of her that I am going to open a living trust with legal zoom. She was great. Thank You

Erin
105 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Pleasant Experience

Patience and weel given explanation about the process of how a "Living Trust" & "Deed" works after transitioning and guidance on how to contact an attorney whenever I need legal advice.

Sharron Martin
107 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

It was a breeze to deal with Legalzoom…

It was a breeze to deal with Legalzoom and finished my estate plan within an hour!! Thanks again

BT
111 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Great team…

Mark and Legal Zoom make estate planning affordable and attainable.

Christopher Maginnis
143 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Living Will & Forming my LLC

I have used Lega Zoom for several items, including my living will and items to form my LLC for my business. It's fast, easy, and thorough. The customer service is fantastic! I am working with David on a few items for my will,l and he has been a delight. He follows up when he says he will and is incredibly helpful. I highly recommend this company.

Kristen J
155 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Nadia made it very easy for me to make…

Nadia made it very easy for me to make a decision to sign up and create my estate planning documents with legalsoom. She was very professional and knowledgeable about the package that I chose. She also offered her direct contact for any future questions I might have.

Melita D'Anna
164 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Kylie helped me to review my history of…

Kylie helped me to review my history of trying to complete my estate plan and contacting a legal advisor that comes with my account. She was patient, knowledgable, and helpful.

Paula
168 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

I have worked with Mark Champ on… Last Will & Testament, Living Will, Quit Claim Deed

I have worked with Mark Champ on several documents I needed and every time he has provided me with every thing I needed and with so much graciousness and knowledge. It has always been such a pleasure working with Mark!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cathy Donaldson
203 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Most Dedicated Representative!

Patti Green was the most informative person in guiding me through the process of completing my estate plan . She was always there for me to answer my questions and give excellent advice . Also , she was very polite and considerate ! Legal Zoom is so fortunate to have Patti on their team . Thank you , Patti for all of your assistance and kindness !

Priscilla Page
281 days ago
Trustpilot star rating bar

Patti Green is GREAT!

Ms. Patti Green walked me through the Estate Planning process. She was very professional, patient and kind. Planning for when you are no longer here is very intricate and difficult. Working with Ms. Green helped give the assurance that I am doing the right thing for myself and loved ones.

TRINESSA
Rated4.6out of 5 based on23,946+ reviewson

Showing our favorite reviews