A proposal may feel like a fairytale moment, but saying “yes” is the easy part.
The excitement of engagement quickly gives way to the realities of planning, booking venues, comparing caterers and mapping out budgets late into the night. And while those decisions shape your wedding day, the bigger financial conversations you have now can define the life you’ll build together.
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Fairy tales often come with fine print: the American Psychological Association reports that 40% to 50% of first marriages end in divorce. Untangling two lives can mean dividing assets, navigating debt and restructuring future plans from the ground up.
Laura Wasser, the celebrity divorce attorney whose client list includes Kim Kardashian and Britney Spears, told CNBC that wealth doesn’t insulate anyone from relationship breakdowns. Whether the settlement involves millions or modest savings, the root cause she sees most often is the same.
“They don’t communicate,” she said.
Before you walk down the aisle, there are two key financial considerations that can reveal whether you and your partner are not only in love, but in long-term alignment.
Love is blind but lenders aren’t
In modern relationships, financial compatibility is as critical as emotional chemistry.
Silence around money isn’t a sign of trust — it’s a potential liability. Wasser’s colleagues, Parima Pandkhou and Padideh Jafari, have seen how couples who sidestep these conversations can watch minor differences snowball into dealbreakers.
Financial strain isn’t always driven by overwhelming debt or missed payments. Often, it’s rooted in divergent philosophies, how each partner borrows, spends, saves or manages debt. Even small gaps in approach can undermine long-term stability — and trust.
That’s why Jafari says couples should treat certain questions as non-negotiable: “What is your credit score? Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? Do you have credit card debt?” Jafari said.
The average U.S. credit score sits at 715, according to Experian — comfortably in “good” territory. But in practice, that three-digit figure can shape the trajectory of your shared life, influencing everything from mortgage approvals to the interest rate on your next car to the ceiling on a joint credit line. A strong score can unlock lower rates and higher limits; a weak one can discreetly close doors before they open.
Knowing your partner’s score is part of doing your due diligence. It’s the baseline data for the financial architecture you’ll build together, whether that’s a first home, a business venture or the blended portfolio.
Read more: I’m almost 50 and have nothing saved for retirement — what now? Don’t panic. These 6 easy steps can help you turn things around
The fine print of forever
Aside from credit scores, it’s also important for couples to consider a prenup.
A prenuptial agreement is a legal contract signed before marriage that spells out each partner’s rights and responsibilities both during the marriage and if it ends in divorce.
With divorce rates climbing, more millennial and Gen Z couples are opting for prenups — about half of them.
Wasser said that even if you skip a prenup, your state’s laws will automatically determine how property and finances are divided if you split. But having one in place can make the process faster, cheaper, and less contentious because the big decisions — like dividing property or determining spousal support — are already settled.
“The prenup process opens the door to important conversations: Would you be comfortable caring for your partner’s elderly parents someday? Would one of you step back from work to stay home with the kids? What age do you see yourselves retiring?”, Wasser told Vogue.
While a prenup protects your future self, it’s also a chance to operate as a team. Drafting one can spark honest, meaningful conversations about money, priorities and long-term goals, turning what might feel like a legal formality into a foundation for mutual understanding.
While preparing for marriage is filled with excitement, anchoring the romance with open conversations about finances can be the secret to a love that lasts well beyond the vows.
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This article originally appeared on Moneywise.com under the title: Would you care for your spouse’s elderly parents? Divorce lawyer of Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears on prenups
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.