Why Relationships Matter

Take our Can You Spot Red Flags In A Relationship?

Find a therapist to strengthen relationships

Money reflects power, access, and security.

When one partner lacks access, knowledge, or control over money, it can negatively affect the relationship.

Couples who regularly discuss financial values and goals tend to experience more trust and fewer conflicts.

Healthy systems balance shared responsibility and individual autonomy.

Marie found herself at a crossroads. She had just turned 60, and her husband of more than 30 years was asking for a divorce. For years, they had prioritized Paul’s job while she had taken on the brunt of the domestic sphere. He went to work every day in finance while she looked after their three kids and took care of the house. She worked part-time jobs here and there, but the emphasis was always on prioritizing his career first.

She thought about all of their joint accounts, and the fact that she had no money she could set aside for herself, even if she wanted to. To be completely honest, she did not even have the full financial picture of their assets, as it was something Paul had always managed. She knew they had a house and an investment property, as well as retirement accounts. But if someone were to ask her what kind of accounts or even how to access them, she would not have the first idea. Now she was worried that she might be left out in the cold when it came to the divorce, as she had seen happen to a few of her friends. She wondered how she would even afford her own divorce lawyer.

Marie’s story is not unique. In marriages and partnerships all over the country and the world, money plays a major role in relationships. When partners are on the same page about money and able to........

© Psychology Today