De-clutter, update and keep paperwork easily accessible.
Develop a joint budget that realistically reflects day-to-day spending and big-ticket purchases and review it regularly.
Evaluate if moving assets into joint ownership is the better option.
List all debts and set a goal to pay them off and schedule time to re-evaluate.
Evaluate Life / Illness / Health Insurance plans and where possible extend cover to both spouses. For Life and Illness plans remaining in individual names, add your spouse as a joint owner.
Add your spouse as the beneficiary of investments, savings and pensions plans that are in individual names.
Consolidate total number of bank accounts.
Identify an amount to be set aside and held on deposit as an Emergency Fund.
Make new Wills or amend existing Wills.
Build a relationship with an Accountant, Financial Planner and Solicitor and engage with them when making key decisions.
