When you meet someone you feel you could spend the rest of your life with, a big part of that feeling comes from compatibility. You want to choose someone you are compatible with on multiple levels, not just emotionally but financially as well. If you find out too far into the relationship that you have wildly different financial values, it can seriously impact your relationship, especially your marriage. In that situation, you may want to speak with a Lincoln divorce lawyer.

Financial Incompatibility and Its Impact

Many people want the opportunity to build something incredible with the person they love. When you find your person, you may be willing to overlook certain personality traits at first. As your relationship deepens and these quirks turn into incompatibilities, you may feel like you’re in too deep to just let things go. If you realize that you and your partner are not financially compatible after you get married, it could lead directly to a contested divorce. Financial compatibility is important.

When you figure out that you and your partner share different financial values, it can be a significant revelation. You may want to make immediate efforts to protect your finances, just in case. Your relationship may be severely negatively impacted in more ways than one. Such a financial epiphany can start to erode trust in your relationship, and trust is a fundamental aspect of every healthy relationship. Without trust, divorce is next. You’ll need to discuss asset division and child custody.

How Can You Overcome Financial Incompatibility?

Financial incompatibility does not always mean that your relationship is over. If your partner is unwilling to compromise on financials and won’t even discuss money with you, that might mean you are headed for a divorce. However, if your spouse is willing to hear your side and consider changing for the better, you could salvage your marriage. Money is a source of contention for many couples. Overcoming it will not be an easy task.

Differing opinions on financial security can turn into a lack of trust and stability. It can start to reveal other possible issues in the relationship, which you may have previously ignored or cast aside. You need to have an open and honest talk with your spouse before it’s too late. Here are some topics you can broach to discuss financial incompatibility:

  • Effective communication. Every relationship needs effective communication to stay healthy. Marriages, friendships, and even working relationships all need communication to succeed. If you have a problem with something that your spouse does or doesn’t do and you don’t say anything, that subject can start to fester and turn into a much larger issue. You should address it quickly and resolve it. Financial security is no different.
  • Create a realistic budget together. Many couples find creating a budget to be a beneficial activity that ultimately helps them save money, but it only works as long as both partners abide by the budget. If one partner likes to save for the future but the other likes to spend whenever they’ve got disposable income, it can be tough to agree on finances. If you both agree to live on a budget, that willingness to compromise can be a good sign of change.
  • Establish reachable goals. Many people may find it beneficial in life to build toward something. Having a goal as a couple can give you both a project to do together. Working toward a financial goal, like a vacation or buying a home, can give you both a reason to save money.

FAQs

Q: Should You Hide Money From Your Spouse?

A: No, you should never hide money from your spouse. Not only is hiding assets in a divorce illegal in Nebraska, but it could land you a contempt of court charge. It could also seriously negatively impact your divorce settlement, as the court will now see you as the bad guy. Even if you don’t trust your spouse at all, don’t hide assets. If they are discovered, you could pay a dear price for that decision.

Q: Does Financial Incompatibility Hurt Your Marriage?

A: Financial incompatibility can certainly hurt your marriage if money is an important priority in your relationship. Many couples are financially incompatible but can share many other fulfilling compatibilities together. It really depends entirely on the nature of your relationship and what you consider to be a critical issue. If you value financial security, then financial incompatibility has the power to hurt your marriage.

Q: How Can You Protect Your Assets in a Divorce?

A: You can protect your assets in a divorce through several methods. It’s very important that you take the proper precautions to shield your assets before you get married. Having the foresight to establish protections early can help you in the long term. The most effective way to do this is with a prenuptial agreement, which protects premarital assets in a divorce. If your partner refuses to sign a prenup, that might be a sign that they value money over love.

Q: What Are Other Signs of Financial Incompatibility in a Marriage?

A: There are many signs of financial incompatibility that could arise in your marriage. They are always going to be subjective, as everyone has a different definition of financial incompatibility. Some possible indicators you may want to watch out for include:

  • A reluctance to discuss money
  • Secret bank accounts
  • Gambling problems
  • Low credit scores
  • Frequent debt

You want to be with someone who respects your values in a relationship, even if they don’t share those values.

Reach Out to a Divorce Lawyer If You Need Help

Realizing you and your partner are not financially compatible can be devastating, as it can mean you were not fundamentally meant for each other after all. Sometimes, love simply isn’t enough if you don’t have trust. If you decide that you need to end things with a divorce, you should consider reaching out to an experienced divorce lawyer.

The legal team at Stange Law Firm can help you figure out the right course of action for your divorce. Contact us to speak to a valued team member about everything we can do for your case.