The Business Breakfast: Who is in Charge...

…of a wife’s assets

“These are serious shailas, raboisai.”

Any time money is involved, things get serious. All the more so when we’re talking about a family unit. Rabbi Zev Cohen’s message: Talk about it at the beginning, come to an agreement when you are first starting out.

These days it’s not uncommon for wives to enter the marriage with significant assets, or to have well-paying professions, even more than their husbands. Who has the final say in regards to where that money should go?

In reality, this is an area that is well-covered in halacha. There are a few categories of assets that a wife may have, which have different rules of control. But it is crucial that the husband and wife sit down and determine which of the categories the money falls in to.

Bottom line? Be aware of the issues, and ask a shaila.