Trust and transparency are cornerstones of a successful marriage, forming the foundation for a partnership built on mutual respect and understanding.

Sharing important information — like medical and financial details — helps couples build a foundation of open communication. This transparency allows them to navigate challenges together and align expectations. Keep reading to discover why, how, and what information should be shared before marriage.

Why Sharing Important Information Matters Before Marriage

Building Confidence in the Relationship

“Open and honest communication is key to building a strong foundation for a successful marriage," advises Rachel Harker, a clinical psychologist and founder of Tribal, a psychology-backed dating and friendship app. "Before committing to a life together, it’s crucial to have transparent conversations about key topics, including finances, children, and major life decisions.”

Sharing financial information demonstrates a commitment to building a relationship on honesty. This willingness to discuss financial and legal details builds confidence in the relationship for both partners. 

Transparency also helps avoid disputes and misunderstandings around credit card debt, student loans, and other liabilities, and significant assets.  

• Download our checklist: Steps to Take When You're Getting Married

Avoiding Future Conflicts 

Financial issues are among the biggest causes of marital disputes and divorces. National Debt Relief, a debt consolidation company, reported that 54% of respondents to a survey said having a partner with major debt would be a reason to consider divorce. Additionally, an online Harris Poll conducted for SunTrust Bank found that 35% of people blame finances for relationship stress, CNBC reported.

“Discussing these important topics is vital, as it can help prevent misunderstandings or conflict down the road," Harker notes. "For example, with finances, knowing how your partner approaches money (are they a spender, saver, or have different priorities to you?) helps you both plan for the future and avoid any unnecessary stress or surprises later.

"This applies to all major life decisions, such as family planning. These conversations not only reveal if you’re aligned but also highlight areas where compromise or negotiation may be needed.”

Planning for Your Future Together 

Marriage is a lifelong partnership, and sharing information about finances, property, and long-term goals ensures couples are aligned on priorities. If one individual has different priorities, like saving for a home, while the other prioritizes saving for retirement, couples can use this opportunity to discuss and devise a strategy to achieve both.

This helps them make informed decisions about merging finances, purchasing real estate, and carrying out estate planning. 

• Related: Newlywed Guide to Merging Documents and Finances

Key Information Couples Should Share

Honesty about all financial and legal obligations, liabilities, and assets is the key to building a marriage of transparency and trust. 

Financial Details 

Financial details are a crucial aspect of a marriage, and having a clear understanding of them can help couples create a plan for the future. These details should include: 

• Assets: bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts and properties.

• Income: all sources of income, including temporary sources.

• Liabilities: mortgages, student loans, credit card debt, and other financial obligations. Share how much debt is outstanding and your plan for paying it off.

Legal Documents 

Legal information and obligations couples need to discuss include: 

• Wills and estate plans: It’s crucial to understand each other’s end-of-life wishes and to be prepared for unexpected events.

• Power of attorney and health directives: These ensure both individuals can make informed decisions with confidence during emergencies.

• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements: They help clarify expectations and protect the interests of both individuals. 

Other Personal Information 

Couples also need to talk about the following to be equipped to navigate life’s challenges: 

• Insurance policies: This includes life, health, auto, and property insurance details.

• Digital legacy: This ensures both parties have access to important online accounts like email, social media, and other online services.

How Trustworthy Simplifies This Process

Couples can manage, access, and share important documents with Trustworthy. Trustworthy’s game-changing Family Operating System® is designed to help families get and stay organized. 

Organizing Information in One Place

Effective planning involves organizing and storing important information in a secure location. Trustworthy’s AI-powered Autopilot features simplify the process by offering smart insights, summaries, document name suggestions, and filing location recommendations, making document management effortless. The predefined filing categories eliminate the need to create a system from scratch.

Trustworthy's Chrome extension allows for seamless uploading of email attachments, while the Trustworthy app's built-in document scanner means you don’t need multiple tools to upload and store your files.

Keeping Records Accessible and Up to Date

One key advantage of Trustworthy is its ability to keep your records organized and secure. More importantly, Trustworthy allows couples to easily update and upload documents as their circumstances change or after significant life events.

With Trustworthy’s innovative smart links, users can quickly locate documents. For example, when you upload an insurance policy, Trustworthy automatically connects it to related policies and information within the Family Operating System®.

Automated Reminders  

Trustworthy's automated reminders can help you avoid outdated documents or missed deadlines. These reminders can notify couples when it’s time to review financial records, update legal documents, or renew important policies. 

World-Class Security

Trustworthy’s security measures ensure that all stored information is secure, thanks to advanced security features like AES 256-bit encryption, tokenization, biometric authentication, multi-factor authentication, on-screen redaction, and physical security keys.

Trustworthy’s compliance standards are second to none, with compliance to data privacy regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).  

Steps to Get Started With Trustworthy 

Whether you’re just starting out with a digital family vault or have some experience, Trustworthy's comprehensive onboarding support makes the process stress-free:

• Start by setting up your account and organizing your information using Autopilot features. Create a checklist for all financial records, medical information, legal documents, property records, insurance policies, and emergency information. 

• Once you create your Trustworthy account, you can invite your partner by creating your trusted network of collaborators. Your trusted network can include your partner, family members, and professionals like your lawyer, financial planner, doctor, or estate planner.  

• Trustworthy’s collaboration features simplify building a shared profile by allowing you to control collaborator access. Full access lets users view and edit all items and settings, while partial access limits edits to specific categories — ideal for advisors or professionals.

• The SecureLinks™ feature enables sharing specific files with people outside your network through unique view-only links with time-limited access.

• Prepare for the future with legacy access, allowing chosen individuals to request full access in the event of your passing. Collaboration ensures records stay accurate and regularly updated.

The Bottom Line

Sharing important financial and legal information before marriage is key to building a strong foundation for a lasting marriage. Transparency and trust help couples avoid conflicts, align their priorities, and prepare for expected and unexpected events. 

Trustworthy makes planning for the future simpler by providing a secure and organized platform for storing and sharing information, helping couples focus on building a life with mutual respect and shared goals.