Top Financial Questions Newlyweds Ask Financial Advisors

You’ve said “I do.” Now, what about your money? Marriage blends love with logistics. From taxes and property decisions to student loans and estate planning, it’s normal for newlyweds to ask: “Are we doing this right?”

Neptune partnered with Rightwise Wealth, a financial planning firm that helps modern couples make smart, values-based decisions. Together, we addressed some of the most common questions newlyweds ask, and shared Neptune’s perspectives on how prenups and long-term planning can lead to stronger, more collaborative relationships.

Q: Can we keep renting, or should we buy a house?

Rightwise says: A home can be an appreciating asset or a cash-eating pet. The right answer hinges on timing, down-payment math, and how often Zillow is open on your phone.

Neptune adds: If homeownership is in your near future, a prenup can help set the foundation for how you’ll approach big investments as a couple. Think of it as part of your planning toolkit: clarifying how contributions work, what happens if one of you moves in first, and how you'll make big decisions together.

Q: We plan to keep money separate. Is that a problem?

Rightwise says: Separate accounts can preserve autonomy and sow confusion (e.g., who pays the vet bill?). Clear rules keep love in, resentment out.

Neptune adds: Keeping finances separate can absolutely work, as long as you’re aligned on how day-to-day and long-term expenses are handled. A prenup gives you a chance to design a system together: one that supports independence, reduces friction, and reflects how you live and spend as a couple.

Q: Joint taxes or married-filing-separately — what’s cheaper?

Rightwise says: The wrong choice here can cost thousands, especially if you’re managing student-loan income-driven repayments, large RSU sales, or itemized medical deductions. Run both scenarios in tax software before April so you can make an informed call.

Neptune adds: Your filing status is a financial decision, not a reflection of how “together” you are. Many couples find that discussing these options deepens financial trust. A prenup can support this process by helping you agree on how tax decisions are made and how any shared benefits or liabilities are handled, so it feels like a partnership, not a puzzle.

Q: If we aren't combining our finances, do we have to choose “Married Filing Separately”?

Rightwise says: Your tax filing status doesn’t depend on whether you share a checking account. Most couples benefit from filing jointly (MFJ), though in some cases, like student loan repayment or large medical deductions, filing separately (MFS) may be the smarter choice. If there are concerns about accuracy or transparency, it’s okay to pause and ask questions before signing a joint return.

Neptune adds: Even if you're managing money separately, filing taxes can still be a shared responsibility. A prenup can help by encouraging financial transparency and setting expectations around things like filing status, tax prep costs, or how you'll approach refunds or liabilities as a couple.

Q: We’re young! Do we really need life insurance and an estate plan?

Rightwise says: If one spouse and their paycheck disappear, household dreams like home ownership or kids’ college can quickly fall out of reach. Everyone needs a will. Some need term life insurance. Run the numbers and find out if you have an insurable need.

Neptune adds: Estate plans and life insurance aren’t just for older couples or high earners; they’re tools for protecting the future you’re building together. A prenup complements these plans by helping you think through how you'd support each other financially, plan for long-term goals, and make sure your wishes are clearly understood. It’s about planning as a team, from the very beginning.

Q: I bought my condo before we met. Now we’re married, and he’s paying me half the mortgage. Does he own half my condo now?

Rightwise says: This one’s tricky, and jurisdiction-dependent. Paying “rent” might not create ownership on paper, but the longer this goes on, the murkier things can get.

Neptune adds: Homeownership can bring up crucial questions when finances start to overlap. A prenup, or postnup, lets you make intentional decisions together about how you handle that condo going forward. Whether you keep it separate or eventually co-own, the goal isn’t to draw a line but to create clarity that reflects how you want to live and plan as a couple.

Q: Of course, we’ll never get divorced. But if we did, my spouse has six figures of student loan debt. Would I be on the hook?

Rightwise says: In most cases, premarital student debt stays with the borrower. But if you co-sign, refinance together, or commingle funds, that boundary gets fuzzy.

Neptune adds: Big financial differences, like one partner having student loans, don’t have to be stressors. A prenup provides a space to discuss openly, agree on how you'll support each other, and establish a shared plan that respects each partner’s past while focusing on your future.

Final Thoughts: Marriage is a Team Sport, and So Is Planning

Talking about money can be emotional, but it doesn’t have to be confusing. The best financial decisions come from open communication, shared values, and smart planning tools.

At Rightwise Wealth, financial advisors help newlyweds model different paths and make intentional choices. 

And as a financial concierge built for modern couples, Neptune guides couples through prenups and more. Whether you're growing your wealth or building a life together, you've already seen the value of planning. A prenup is simply one more way to plan well together.

Want to talk about what financial transparency looks like in your relationship? Start the conversation with Neptune today.