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Article written by Jackie Porter
No one makes the decision to spend the rest of their lives together only to separate. Yet unfortunately, not all relationships will last forever. If you decided to make a commitment to your partner and after giving it your all, it still didn’t work out… Take heart. The reality is some relationships are not meant to be for a lifetime. The most important thing to remember when leaving a relationship is to do it gracefully. Create space for mental, emotional, and financial healing to begin sooner rather than later. Read on for money conversations that can set the stage for an amicable split with your former partner.
Money Conversation 1
What is the state of our financial health as we prepare to separate?
If you were the person who managed the finances in the relationship, and you and your partner have decided to separate, the basis for an amicable split will have everything to do with financial transparency. Now is the time to create a family net worth statement. This should list assets like the family home and current values along with the value of TFSA, pensions, and RRSP values. It should also list all individual debts you currently owe as a couple, such as mortgage and credit card debts.
This document will form the basis of all future negotiations. If you are forthcoming with providing this document to your ex it can go a long way in cultivating an amicable negotiation process. Your financial health should also include a cashflow statement. One that shows, each partners income, if applicable, and current expenses and debt.
Money Conversation 2
Who will be the primary caregiver of our children? Will custody be shared?
Custody arrangements between parents are often one of the most contentious issues ex-partners will have to deal with. Typically, the person doing most of heavy work when it comes to parenting is often the person chosen by the former couple to be the primary caregiver. The challenge is how each partner will be managing expenses as a single person. Talking about support can lead to conflict on who should pay for what on behalf of the child. Ask yourself what would it look like if you and your partner tackle this sensitive issue. What if looking out for the best interests of your children is the primary focus?
You will want to think through how your ex will pay the bills and take care of the children when they are no longer living in the family home. This may give you some insight on what level of support may be required by the courts. Questions to contemplate can range from after selling the family home does it make sense to rent or buy? Will we need to downsize if we want to live in the same neighborhood to be close to the kids? Having a closer look at the cashflow statement may foster a more sober conversation of what it will mean to pay raise a child in a single household.
Money Conversation 3
What If I struggle talking about money with my ex-partner?
If you are struggling with having these conversations with your partner, get help. You don’t have to face having sensitive money conversations with alone. Enlist the services of acollaborative law professional or certified financial professionalto help you set the stage for an amicable split. Collaborative Law Professionals specialize in working with couples who want to separate without the drama by working together to come to a fair outcome for all parties involved. A certified financial professional can help you to draft and interpret financial statements. They cover topics such as a net worth and cashflow statements if you are not feeling financially savvy and want help from a neutral third party to draft your numbers.