Money is a hot-button issue for stepfamilies. It’s a tough topic for any couple. Add a remarriage between two adults who have already developed habits, and money gets even more complicated. Your husband has kids from a previous marriage to support.
You might have one partner with more money than the other, a new baby together, grandparents who give unequally to step- and biological grandchildren, an exspouse who requires maintenance, college, estate planning, insurance, medical expenses . . . are you exhausted yet?
Plus, money is often used as a weapon between former spouses to get back at each other for past wrongs. Because of the complexity of stepfamily finances, it’s wise to get as much as you can hammered out with your spouse before you get married. The most important thing is that you and your husband learn how to solve money challenges together.
Some stepmothers who were formerly single career gals have assets and portfolios that are quite a bit larger than their husbands’. He may have had to split his assets down the middle in his divorce, after all, and he must continue to support a family, while a previously single stepmother has no such responsibilities.