But with advisers and divorce lawyers citing money problems as the chief culprit in relationship or marriage breakdowns, it's worth building good financial foundations.

As family law specialist Marilyn Hauptmann of Swaab Attorneys says: “When there are money problems, the sex goes. And then the marriage [or relationship] goes.”

1. Be transparent

Sit down and document how much you have in investments and cash, says financial planner Suzanne Haddan, as well as your debt (such as loans or credit card borrowings).

“This is not a time for being secretive,” adds Haddan, managing director of BFG Financial Services.

“If you're not comfortable laying it out on the table, don't merge your relationship.”

Hauptmann agrees.

“People get together and they're scared to talk about money,” she says.

“But money is what drives people apart. It's a great idea to get that conversation well and truly into gear at the beginning. The more you know about the other's finances, the more harmony you will have.”

2. Merge your finances

Working out how you're going to pay for things will inevitably require working out a budget. This can be as hard for older couples as younger households.

Use tools like the TrackMySpend app on government website money.smart.gov.au.

Collaborative family law specialist Jacqueline Jones says a vital step is deciding whether to create a joint account and contribute equally to pay set household expenses.

Another is working out whether one or both of you will look after the finances and how to keep that person informed.

Haddan says often in the early stages couples maintain separate accounts on top of the household joint account, but over time combine these.

Crucial in any budgeting, she says, is taking both of your needs into account.

“It's expensive being a woman,” she says. “We pay more for haircuts, skincare, cosmetics and clothes – so you need to come to an agreement.”

3. Set financial goals

It's no good one of you saving slavishly for a deposit on your first home when your partner is more intent on an overseas holiday.

For older couples, says Haddan, a disparity can be one partner wanting private schools for children from a previous marriage, when for the other partner this was not part of the plan for their own children.

Airing these differences early on in a marriage or live-in relationship will make it easier to compromise or find a solution.

4. Plan Ahead

If you plan to have children, Hauptmann advises thinking about the financial implications now. Will one of you be the main carer and can you afford for one of you to work part-time?

Haddan advocates making advance payments on the mortgage before babies to ease potential financial stress, as well as working out in advance how you'll both survive on a lower income and still have your own discretionary spending.

If you're taking out loans together (buying furniture or real estate), do it in both your names. That way you avoid “sexually transmitted” debt, says Haddan, if you split up.

5. Get things in writing

If there is a great disparity in wealth between the two of you, Haddan suggests seeing a solicitor for a binding financial agreement.

If you've been given family gifts or loans – for example, help from parents when buying a home – have it documented so it does not form part of your joint assets (just in case of a split later on).

If you're an older couple and you want certain assets to go to your children after you die, be careful about how you follow this through.

If you'd always intended your superannuation to go to your offspring and you start an account-based pension with your new partner/spouse as a reversionary beneficiary, says Haddan, that money will be passed on to them and will not form part of your estate.

If you're buying a house with your new partner and you want your half to go to your children in the event of your death, buy the property as tenants in common rather than joint tenants.

Ditto with term deposits – rather than having $100,000 pooled in a joint term deposit, start separate accounts so there's a cleaner divide if you want to leave this to children in your will.

And if you're not married, organise a will so the remaining partner is taken care of in the event of the death of one of you.

A marriage invalidates a will, points out Jones, but setting up home together doesn't.

6. Keep things even

If one of you moves to part-time work after children, even up super balances.

Once a year, the main breadwinner can send up to 85 per cent of his or her annual contribution to the spouse's super account.

Evening up super balances is a good idea anyway, says Haddan, because it will keep you under the radar of potential government changes that could penalise individual higher balances.

It's no good one of you saving slavishly for a deposit on your first home when your partner is more intent on an overseas holiday.

For older couples, says Haddan, a disparity can be one partner wanting private schools for children from a previous marriage, when for the other partner this was not part of the plan for their own children.

Airing these differences early on in a marriage or live-in relationship will make it easier to compromise or find a solution.