By You’ve probably heard us say when we call you for your regular client meetings that we want to see you and your spouse together. This isn’t just to make scheduling more difficult – we know how busy everyone is, especially in the summer months! – it’s because we want to build relationships with you and your spouse as a couple for many reasons.
You and your partner are a team, working together toward your financial future. Getting to know you as a couple is just as important as getting to you know each of you as individuals, so we can learn what your joint goals and dreams are, and then help you reach those goals together. Attending joint meetings also helps couples stay accountable and on the same page with each other as those financial goals evolve and change over time. Let’s be honest – we all know you don’t go home and rehash your client meeting! This is why communication is key, both between you and our team, and between you and your spouse. Attending meetings together encourages and facilitates both.
Many couples find themselves in the situation where one spouse primarily handles the family finances. This might work fine for you right now, but keeping the other spouse as informed and actively involved as possible is something we stress with all of our client couples, even if one continues to handle most of the money matters. We know you don’t want to think about losing your spouse, but having an established relationship with your financial advisor can provide a little peace of mind when facing the loss of a partner, both in the short term and long term. No one wants to add looking for a trusted financial advisor, or not knowing how to access the family money, onto their to-do list during an already stressful time.
Working together toward common goals not only keeps you on the same page financially, but can strengthen your relationship as a couple overall as you communicate about where you are and where you want to be. We know talking about money probably isn’t high on your list of fun things to discuss while you’re with the kids or grandkids. Let us help facilitate those conversations today so you can enjoy life as team later. And remember: the reason we ask a lot of getting-to-know-you questions and strongly encourage joint meetings is so we can do the best we can at our job – helping you achieve the financial future you – and your spouse – want.
Article by David Smyth, Senior Partner at Family Financial Partners — a financial services firm in Lexington, Kentucky.
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