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The
Second Time Around |
You’ve lost your spouse. You’re lonely. You’ve
met a kind Christian person who is also looking for companionship.
Before you become serious enough to say “I Do” a second
time, consider some of the following concerns.
Family Concerns
1. Do your families know each other; if so, are they compatible?
2. Do the adult children of both parties approve of the possibility
of marriage?
3. If there are children still living at home, do they accept
you?
4. If there are negative responses, are you willing to wait until
these are resolved?
5. Can you willingly accept each other’s
children just as they are?
6. Does your friend have the freedom to make his or her own decisions?
7. Is your friend in relatively good health? If not, can you
handle the limitations?
Financial Concerns
1. Do you need a prenuptial agreement?
2. Can your finances be set up in trust funds that will protect
both families?
3. Will you have an adequate income to live comfortably?
4. What kind of debts does each of you owe?
5. Will you have a joint bank account or separate
accounts? (If
separate accounts, decide ahead of time who is responsible for
which financial obligations.)
6. Are most of your financial philosophies compatible?
7. Do you have written, up-to-date wills?
Housing Concerns
1. Do you each own property; if so, where will you live?
2. Would you both consider selling your property and buying something
together?
3. How will you blend two households of furniture?
4. Will marriage force one person to move to another city?
5. If you choose to live in a home already owned by one of you,
can you live with the memories of the first spouse without letting
them interfere with your relationship with a new spouse?
6. Are you willing to share extra household
items with the children rather than sell everything you do not
need? (There may be
things of sentimental value to family members that need to be passed
down to the next generation.)
7. If necessary, are you willing to live in an apartment complex
rather than buy or build another house?
Watch for part two of this article in the Fall issue
of PrimeLine: Social, Personal and Major Concerns.
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