We have had separate accounts (as in both of us named but only one uses) for most of our relationship but part of that was personalities and part of that was convenience. With everything going on, separate accounts let us handle our finances better. We now have access to both accounts and manage the budget as one budget but we are still "in charge" of our separate accounts. (If one account needs money from the other, we ask the other person what is going on with their account). We are moving towards joint everything now (slowly but still moving) because our lives and finances have drastically simplified and we are more comfortable with the idea than we were earlier in life (very independent personalities).
As to divorce, everything is joint except for inheritances so it isn't preparing for divorce even if someone does see it that way.
I do think the joint vs separate account debate is directly related to how you view marriage. If you view a marriage as two people becoming one, you are more likely to see joint accounts as the only way. If you view marriage as a partnership of two very different and independent people working together, you are probably okay with or even prefer separate accounts. At least that has been my experience with all the couples I know.
|