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Protect your wealth—especially when navigating major life changes like remarriage. With marriage rates in America dropping by 60% in the last 50 years, you might find it surprising that remarriage rates even register. However, there is a notable percentage of people who will remarry within five years of losing a spouse. Depending on the age of the widow or widower, anywhere from 29–67% of previously married people will remarry.
That can often lead adult children to defensively protect their parent’s assets when new love comes calling. When Greg posted a similar predicament online, he was hopeful that others had advice on how to help his mother protect her wealth without upsetting her new boyfriend.
Cancer, Finances, and Documentation
Thankfully, Greg’s parents had time to get their finances in order before his dad passed away. His mother, Alicia, owns stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and annuities. She’s also intelligent enough to have made a trust that takes care of her home and vehicles and has made up end-of-life paperwork for her children for her assets and her medical care should she become incapacitated.
She also understands that her husband’s hard work has set her up nicely, and she wants to keep her finances separate from her new beau, should they decide to marry. Adam, Alicia’s new guy, isn’t financially as well off. He wants his daughter to take over his mortgage payments, and then he’ll move in with Alicia. She doesn’t want his six children or 27 grandchildren to have any access to her money, and Greg is concerned because his mother tends to fall for scams easily.
Prenup
Several people suggested that Alicia draw up a prenuptial agreement that explicitly protects her liquid and other financial assets. These documents are designed for couples where one spouse is financially well-off, and the other might struggle.
Grandma Knows
One person shared an old saying their grandmother used to quote frequently. “All an old man wants is a nurse or a purse.” It can be true that older gentlemen want someone to tend to them, and not many men will turn down a sugar mama if they can find one.
Background Check
One person who’s been down Greg’s road suggested he get a background check on Adam to ensure he knows everything about his financial standings and what he owes in debt. Having this knowledge before his mother says “I do” can save a lot of headaches and heartbreak down the road.
Updated Will
One individual suggests that Alicia update her will to bypass her new husband and his descendants altogether. Then they also indicated that the prenup dictate everything from paying household expenses to how long Adam can stay in her home if she dies before him. Prenups are meant to protect both parties involved and can be notoriously specific.
Cash Depletion
Someone warned Greg about his mother gifting large amounts of cash or personal belongings to him, and another suggested that as an administrator of her Trust, he should be able to keep a good eye on what she spends.
Legality
Greg mentioned that his mother is very religious and won’t cohabitate with Adam until after their wedding. One respondent asked if she’d go for the glitz without the documentation. Because Alicia is a staunch believer, I don’t think Greg could sell the idea of not making it legal, but it’s worth a shot.
Social Security
Things get complicated when it comes to social security and survivor benefits. If Alicia had collected her husband’s social security and then ceremonially married Adam, she’d have committed fraud if she had kept collecting her first husband’s benefits. Greg should undoubtedly let her know about this situation.
Copies
Not only should Alicia know where her legal documents are, but Greg should also have certified copies of all her legal documentation. If Adam ever tried to hide, destroy, or alter them, Greg would have an untouched set of his own.
Tricky and Sticky
Remarriage can be excellent for those who are lonely and find someone to love after losing a spouse. But they can also wreak financial havoc if Alicia doesn’t cover every base—best of luck to Greg and Alicia as they navigate these sticky waters.
Source: Reddit.
The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
If you’re looking for ways to earn more money to put toward your goals, start by examining your spending habits. By tracking your spending and seeing where every dollar goes, you’ll likely find several instances of spending money you don’t have to. It could be little things that add up or recurring monthly expenses that are an utter waste of money.
Once you eliminate your bad spending habits, that money can go toward your emergency fund, paying off debt, or other essential things. Here are the 41 biggest wastes of money to look out for.
The 41 Biggest Wastes of Money
16 Affordable Retirement Destinations Abroad
Retirement can be exciting for people who have worked hard and are ready to enjoy the good life. Many retirees want to make the most of their money and enjoy the rest of their life the best they can. For some, retiring abroad sounds like a fun adventure. Luckily, in some foreign locations, retirees can keep some of their hard-earned money in their bank accounts. Below are some of the best places for new retirees to settle down and enjoy their lives.
