07/25/2025
Until we have a law that prohibits one spouse from withdrawing more than 10% of a joint account without a written consent from the other spouse, each partner needs to keep their accounts separate, and both need to contribute monthly to a joint account in a percentage that matches their income.
I wish that the financial and religious institutions would stop encouraging joint accounts only, as marriage is not what it used to be, and it is very common nowadays for one spouse to withdraw all the money (or almost all) from the accounts, leaving the other spouse with almost nothing!
The same is true for prenuptial agreements. Religious and financial institutions need to stop discouraging one partner from asking for a prenuptial agreement. The prenuptial agreement can be voided after so many years (for example, 10-15 or maybe 20 years) of marriage, but they need to be encouraged.
This is the only way to protect the spouse from having to face financial challenges at the time of the divorce due to financial infidelity from their partners. It is sad to see spouses in their retirement age have to return to work as they were left with nothing (or almost nothing) because they listened to religious or financial leaders.
Dr. Roula al-Dahhak
Neurologist and Life Coach
Coachingposttoxicrelationship.com
314-296-4404
contact@coachingposttoxicrelationship.com