THE UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTH ABOUT LOVE, FAMILY, AND MONEY

Ortis Pyronneau
Jun 1
2 min read

Here’s the reality we often avoid confronting:When entering a serious relationship—especially marriage—transparent financial conversations must be non-negotiable. Assets, liabilities, credit scores, revolving debt, financial obligations to others—all of it must be disclosed and addressed before long-term commitments are made. Love without clarity invites chaos.

MARRIAGE REQUIRES GUARDRAILS

The day you get married, you must implement financial guardrails to:

Protect your union from extended family interference
Maintain a layer of protection in case your spouse turns out to be someone you didn't fully know

This isn’t cynicism. It’s foresight. You can love deeply while still being smart.

Separate accounts are not signs of secrecy—they are signs of structure.Each partner should have:

A joint account for shared expenses
Individual accounts that are documented, legal, and respectedSeparate does not mean hidden. It means accounted for and insulated.

TRUSTS, EXPECTATIONS, AND INHERITANCE

Your life insurance policies, investments, and key financial assets should be:

Placed in a revocable trust
Structured with specific distribution clauses
Reviewed periodically as your family grows and evolves

Expectations must be established:

Your extended family should not have automatic access to your estate
Your spouse cannot pass on your legacy to a new partner unless explicitly allowed
Include infidelity clauses in prenups, trusts, or estate plans that can trigger adjustments if proven

WHEN CHILDREN ENTER THE PICTURE

As a parent, love should be equal—but boundaries must be clear.

Set expectations early:

Define who gets what, when, and how through trust terms and living wills
Children should never have full access to your financial life—even if you trust themWhy? Because they are humans. Life changes them. And pressures you can’t predict can distort even the best intentions.

THE RISE OF ELDER ABUSE—BY LOVED ONES

One of the fastest-growing forms of financial exploitation is elder abuse by adult children and their partners. It often comes disguised as caregiving.

Manipulating doctors or courts to declare you incapacitated is easier than you think
The legal system favors those who appear to be helping—even if they’re quietly siphoning your wealth

Never give up your financial independence.Assign power of attorney to a neutral third party—or at least require two signatures for any major action. Keep detailed records and revise them annually.