Chances are you or someone you know is getting (or will get) remarried: After all, more than 40% of all weddings today involve a bride or bridegroom (or both) who has been married before.

If remarriage is in the cards for you, and either you or your new mate have children from a previous marriage, don't let your joy at finding a fresh start in life be tempered by worries about how to juggle the finances of two half-families while merging them into a new entity.

We know it can be overwhelming. After all, it's a little like launching a new corporation through a merger. But don't worry. We'll help you handle it with some advice that applies to all blended families, no matter your particular situation.

Dolan Smart Money Move: The absolute first step is to get your financial house in order from the start. Sit down with your future partner and discuss your present and prospective financial obligations, your assets, and your debts.

This isn't a conversation any couple looks forward to. Talking about the potential death of a spouse before the marriage even begins, as well as what you'd do if you and your new spouse ever split up, is no fun. But as unpleasant as all of this might seem, it's absolutely necessary.

10 Essential Questions

To help you get started, we've compiled 10 important topics you need to discuss before you move your blended family under one roof. Unfortunately, we can't give you a standard answer for each one because every situation is different. We can, however, offer some suggestions that we know have worked for others.

• What assets and debts do each of you bring to the marriage? Don't hold anything back from each other! If you don't feel comfortable telling this person about your money secrets, why are you with him/her? And be sure to discuss any ongoing support you're giving to (or receiving from) a former spouse or children from a previous marriage.
• How will you treat property that each of you already owns? Will this property be held in your name, your spouse's name, or jointly?
• How will you treat property acquired during your marriage—including any increase in the value of property you each already own?
• How will you divide up the value of your pensions and Social Security? Will you each keep your own pension or be entitled to a share of your spouse's account?

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