is to use your current individual net worths as part of the equation, perhaps setting aside the assets you entered the marriage with before dividing up the rest in some fair fashion. Remember, if you're coming into this marriage with no net worth but big dreams of getting rich, a big part of you getting rich is the support of your partner, who has earned that stake because of the support provided. Finally, look at your behavior and your partner's behavior honestly. Are you engaging (or seriously considering engaging) in activities that would lead to divorce when you're engaged? Is your partner? If you find it easy to engage in patterns that would lead to divorce while you're seriously considering marriage, then your relationship has problems deep enough that you shouldn't get married. In short, don't ever put yourself in a situation where divorce looks likely. What about children? The decision to have children is a complicated one and, in my opinion, is a very distinct one from the marriage question. Many of the concerns that men express about marriage tend to actually be concerns about becoming a father, and I think that becoming a father is a decision guys should never enter into lightly. My opinion is that many people fear marriage for emotional reasons, but often find financial ones easier to state. Modern marriages usually are financially beneficial to both people involved. I'll certainly say that, in our case, marriage has been an enormous financial benefit. It was