Preparing your checklist...
Merge your financial lives smoothly and protect your growing partnership.
Align on savings targets, debt payoff priorities, and lifestyle
Many couples use a hybrid: joint for shared expenses, separate for personal
Account for both incomes and shared expenses
401(k), IRA, life insurance, bank accounts — add your spouse
10-12x annual income in term life if anyone depends on either income
Evaluate whose employer plan is better for family coverage
Each spouse needs a will naming the other (and guardians if kids exist)
Based on combined monthly expenses
Combine student loans, car payments — pick snowball or avalanche
Married filing jointly vs. separately — run both scenarios
Start saving for a down payment (20% avoids PMI)
Prenup/postnup for business owners or significant asset disparity