Bross Bennett's Compatibility Quiz: Essential Questions Every Couple Should Ask

LONDON, January 6, 2011 - When marriages break down, each party must complete a Form E
Financial Statement. This 25 page "full and frank disclosure" could be called
the Exit Interview. In order for partners to better understand the
commitments of getting married or setting up a home, Bross Bennett, one of
the largest and most experienced niche family law practices in London, is
calling for couples to take their Compatibility Quiz.

Ruth Bross, Partner of Bross Bennett, says: "No employer would
offer someone a job without considering their suitability for that position
and neither should a couple embark on a lifelong commitment without doing
their research. Successful relationships are built on honesty. Deceit on any
scale is a betrayal of that basic principle; there is little point in
building a future with someone if they are not prepared to be truthful.
No-one who is truly committed to a relationship would ever mind making the
full and frank disclosure that is asked of them. If they do, you might like
to ask yourself why."

Finances

    - Do you know the extent of each other's assets? How does each
    of you view the sharing of these assets?

    - Do you have the same attitude to saving? Will one of you
    prioritise pension contributions while the other wants to save for a new
    car?

    - Will you pool your resources into a joint account or do you
    want to keep finances separate? Will you contribute in proportion to your
    incomes, or equally?

    - On debts, are you going to have to pay off your partner's
    debts, perhaps from what you thought was going to be the deposit on your
    house?

Family Ties

    - What sort of relationship do you have with your extended
    family? Are they good at staying in touch? Are they local? Affectionate?
    Over-involved? Have you had any major fallings out?

Children

    - Do you want children? How many?

    - How do you want to raise your children? What sort of values
    do you want to pass on?

    - Do you have opposing views about the benefits of state
    versus private education - and should you be thinking now about buying in
    a catchment area for a good state school?

Work

    - Are your respective career paths compatible - is either of
    you going to have to make compromises? Are you prepared to?

    - Will you want to give up work when you have children? What
    does your partner think about this? Can you manage financially? What
    about part-time working?

Roles - traditional or modern?

    - Will you expect to live along traditional lines - woman as
    homemaker and man as bread-winner? Who will organize the finances? Will
    household responsibilities be shared equally? Who will assume
    responsibility for paying bills?

Bross Bennett is one of the largest and most experienced niche family law
practices in London. For more information visit www.brossbennett.co.uk

Enquiries to: Sharon Bennett/Ruth Bross e: rvb at brossbennett.co.uk, Bross Bennett LLP t: +44(0)20-8340-0444, Sarah Morgan/ Erica Sutton-Teague e: brossbennett at redleafpr.com, Redleaf Polhill t: +44(0)20-7566-6700