Here's Why You Should Know Your Partner's Salary, Bank Balance Before Marriage

There are many opinions on the pre-requisites of a happy marriage. But everyone agrees that trust is paramount. Whether a relationship begins with a flash and sizzle, or is kindled by a small flickering flame, trust is what ensures that it weathers the ups and downs that life has in store.

And financial advisors like Kirtan Shah, managing director of Credence Family Office, argue that knowledge of your partner's financial life is one of the keys to building trust. That's because even if two people hit it off like Romeo and Juliet, a credit card debt spiral could well be a wet blanket to any budding romance.

On this episode of Big Decisions, Shah speaks about the details that potential life partners should share with each other, as well as what they should do after they decide to spend the rest of their lives together, including whether to invest together, or separately.