By mature dating, we are not talking only about senior dating. This post is really aimed at those people who have a marriage (or maybe two) in their history and certainly some serious long term relationships. The age range is about 30 upward (and it includes seniors too), maybe you. So, you are now dating for the first time in a long time, and the scenery has changed.

You are seeking out dating tips, maybe from friends and also looking online. There are many things to consider in the online dating world if you are just joining it. This article will deal with the financial aspects.

Let us assume that you have joined an online dating agency and have set up a focused online dating profile with a great picture. You are starting to email, phone and correspond with people. Maybe you have already met someone you are taking a shine to. But have you tried to imagine where the relationship will go? Perhaps you see yourself buying a new home with someone, and look forward to a stable, happy and loving new relationship.

However, have you considered the practical financial consequences?

Things to consider include:

- Will you pool your assets or keep them separate? This is a question of trust, but also of balance if one person’s assets are significantly more than the other’s.

- How will you divide the household bills – should the person with the live-in children pay a bigger portion, or will bills be split down the middle?

- How will you share the cost of family holidays?

- What will your children think about their ‘inheritance’ when another person comes into your life?

- Who pays for fixing the car?

- Will you write a joint last will and testament or not? What are the implications of each option?

- Will you be formal and set up a pre-nuptial agreement? If not, then consider a simple written statement of how joint assets (they need to be defined) will be split should the relationship not work out.

- What about credit card/charge card debts? Will you have joint charge cards?

- Will you have a joint current/checking account at the bank?

- What about life insurance and pension arrangements?

- What happens if one of you loses their job or becomes incapacitated with no income?

Why am I raising these issues and sounding like a spoilsport? There is good reason. When you are younger and starting out on your first serious live-together relationship (and when mature dating is seen as something old folks do), then joint assets are usually relatively lower.

When you are on the second or third time round, most people have a bit more to lose, and a more complex financial web to manage.

If you don’t think about these issues in advance, then in the excitement of mature dating and a new relationship it is possible to get carried away. Then, a few years later you find yourself wishing that you had prepared for this unfortunate eventuality.

One idea is to set a checkpoint at which you will discuss these aspects openly with your new partner. Just before you decide to move in together is a great time to establish some ground rules. Before that though, there will be other opportunities – e.g. maybe when you change the auto/car insurance policies so that you can each can drive the other’s car.

Most sensible adults will very likely hold the same view. If, however, one objects to dealing with these issues clearly (ideally in writing), then stand back and pause, as this could be a warning signal.

As in many things in life, the golden rule is “Hope for the best and plan for the worst”.

The Online Dating Guide at online dating guide has been written by Phil and his friends, with a total of over 20 years online dating experience between us. And before you ask, yes, some of us have successfully found new partners through online dating.

If you are looking for a site which specialises in mature dating, then mature match is just that. Thousands of members, and remember, more members equals more choice. That translates to more chance of success!

© 2010 Phil Marks

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