For richer, for poorer

This is where couples usually run into difficulties. Most couples have joint bank accounts, joint savings, shared credit cards and a family home. If one partner gets into financial difficulties then these assets are under threat.

In the most simple cases, this could leave a husband or wife to repay overdrafts or credit card bills even though they haven't been the ones responsible for the shopping spree. If one partner is unable to repay his or her half, the bank or credit card provider has every right to chase the other named party for any outstanding debt.

Financial advisers warn that if a marriage is under strain, one of the first things couples should do is to close joint accounts and cards. All too often, they say, one spouse is left high and dry with nothing more than a stream of angry letters from the bank. If you think your partner is going to leave you, at least make sure that he or she can't rack up a huge overdraft in your name first.

Again if one spouse has run into severe financial problems, such as filing for bankruptcy, creditors can legally go after these joint assets.

But they are only entitled to that person's share of the assets. So, for example, if you have a shared savings account with £5,000 on deposit, creditors could apply to receive half of this. The same applies to property. If the home is in both partners' names, then creditors are only entitled to 50 per cent of the property's value, even if the outstanding debt is far greater than this amount. Of course, this often means that couples are still forced to sell the family home to pay this share of the debt.

Many businessmen do put property solely in their wife's name, in order to protect the family home if the business fails. But if you are considering doing this, remember - the property then belongs to just one partner. This could have serious repercussions if you later split up.

Couples might want to give some thought to the question of which is most secure - the marriage or the business?