As younger generations of Americans marry later in life, they are more likely than their parents to keep their spousal finances separate. That's not necessarily a bad thing. Finances are a huge discussion for any couple, particularly newlyweds, and there is no single right answer as to when—or if—to combine them since every couple's situation is different, says Jesica Ray, a certified divorce financial analyst at Brighton Jones.
While many advisors say combining assets builds trust and makes it easier for each spouse to be part of paying bills and establishing a family budget, Ray takes a different tack. She says couples should take a closer look at how they structure their finances and decide if the arrangement is—as is often the case— based on cultural or societal assumptions that don't reflect one or both people's values.
