How to come out OK if that's what it comes to
Love is blind, so much so that it makes some blind to the fact that they just aren't very good at being married. A recent study found that the divorce rate for first-time married people is at 50 percent. As for those going for a second round? They have a robust 67 percent divorce rate. So should divorcees give up hoping for love? Absolutely not! However, there are ways to protect yourself now that you know the ins and outs of the divorce game.
Let's go for that prenup this time Regardless of whether you were raked over the coals in your first divorce or you were the one holding said rake, you know how contentious they can be. Why not make things easier for the both of you by preparing a prenuptial agreement? Remember, you don't even have to be wealthy to get one, especially in this economy! All you have to do is get a contract spelling out what assets each party has entering your wedding day, and what assets each party will have if it ends. Also, it would be wise to decide how, if any, alimony will be paid out to the person with a lower income.
If the prenup is still not your thing… or you new spouse-to-be is resisting (RED FLAG!), it's time to print some paperwork out. Make a time-stamped record of all your belongings that predate your second go at the altar. That includes bank and retirement accounts, as well as picture evidence of any physical assets like jewelry or property. Lock those away in a safe place, just in case your maybe-ex-spouse decides to trade in their wedding ring.
This post isn't to say that your second (or third, or fourth…) marriage won't work, just that you need to prepare for the worse case scenario. Your head and heart will probably be hurting enough that you don't need to get your wallet involved, too.