Luckily, Engel's new husband co-signed a loan so that her daughter could pay for college. This is especially important for women to consider. If your first marriage lasted more than 10 years but you remarry before age 60, you lose your right to collect Social Security based on your ex-spouse's earnings, which could be several hundred dollars a month during your golden years. Some wills and trusts prevent a widowed spouse from receiving any money after remarriage. Likewise, alimony ends once you walk down the aisle again.
Most people have things in joint names.
If you want to keep it in a divorce, keep it in your own name. But even then, experts concede, there are no guarantees. Sort it out before you start your new life together. Dana Dratch is a free-lance writer living in Atlanta. U.S. Highway 1, North Palm Beach, Fl.