Spotlight Profile: Crypto Assets in the Matrimonial World – Featuring Barrister Madeleine Booth

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Spotlight Profile: Crypto Assets in the Matrimonial World – Featuring Barrister Madeleine Booth

In this Spotlight Profile, we are speaking with Barrister, Madeleine Booth of Bernacchi Chambers in Hong Kong about cryptocurrency and what it means in the matrimonial world.  Cryptocurrency is a relatively new type of asset that is increasingly appearing as a key focus in matrimonial cases.

Madeleine was part of a panel discussion with The Hong Kong Family Law Association on cryptocurrency in the matrimonial world.  Today we speak to her about this area and what individuals should know about cryptocurrency when they are going through a divorce.

Madeleine, it is a pleasure to have you back at Hong Kong Divorce and wonderful to discuss such an important and relevant topic such as Cryptocurrency.  First of all, we know that many individuals are now invested in the Cryptocurrency market and hold Cryptocurrency assets.  How do the Family Courts define Cryptocurrency? Is it considered property or currency?

Thank you for having me back.

Crypto-assets or cryptocurrency have all the indicia of property and sufficiently meet the definable qualities of property. This has been confirmed in a few cases: see for example the UK decision AA v Persons Unknown [2020] 4 W.L.R and also the Singapore International Commercial Court decision in B2C2 Ltd v Quoine PTC Ltd [2019] SGHC (I) 03.

Having said that, the approach of the Hong Kong Family Court to crypto-assets has yet to be established. As of July 2022, no Hong Kong Family Court judgments have been handed down touching on crypto-assets in notable detail. But there is a growing body of case law in other jurisdictions and outside of the family law sphere, which consistently indicate that crypto-assets are treated in the same way as traditional assets such as cash, shares or gold and therefore subject to similarly applicable orders, including freezing injunctions preventing dissipation.

There is a belief out there that Cryptocurrency is not even real and that there is no need to disclose Cryptocurrency because it is so volatile and not “paper” money.  What’s the danger about this view and how it’s played out in the divorce arena?

Crypto-assts are very much “real” and fall well within the realms of being disclosable. In Hong Kong, parties undergoing divorce have an ongoing duty of full and frank disclosure. They must be honest with each other and the court about their financial circumstances, including investments or the holding of crypto-assets. The disclosure process in Hong Kong includes the exchange of a financial statement known as a “Form E” whereby both parties are required to provide details on their assets held globally (e.g., cash in bank, properties, stocks, insurance policies), amongst other things. Crytpo-assets are disclosable under part 2.11 of Hong Kong’s current Form E. A party must verify the contents of a Form E with a sworn statement of truth. Parties who attempt to hide assets face very severe consequences from the court.

If the court finds that a party has deliberately sought to avoid disclosing assets, adverse inferences will likely be drawn against that party. The court may consider it appropriate to “addback” a certain sum to the matrimonial pool of assets for division.  The court will also likely consider such behaviour a form of litigation misconduct which will result in an unfavourable costs order being made against the non-disclosing party. The court’s approach in such situations is dependent on a host of variables which cannot fairly be set out summarily above: a topic for another article, perhaps!

Practically speaking, in Family Law disputes, will the Hong Kong Family Court consider Cryptocurrency as income when determining issues such as ancillary relief for the other spouse and child support?

Cryptocurrency is considered an asset akin to any other property, not income. There may be instances where a spouse trades cryptocurrency to generate income, and the Hong Kong court has no reason not to recognise this. Unfortunately, there has yet to be a Hong Kong case explicitly enunciating this point. It is possible, however, to look to the approach adopted in other common law jurisdictions. For example, in the relatively recent Canadian case Hauber v Sussman, 2020 ONSC 6695 (CanLII), the court acknowledged that a spouse may rely on cryptocurrency to generate income to fulfil maintenance obligations.

At what point in a divorce is Cryptocurrency valued? For example, is it valued at the time of separation or at the time of division of assets?

It is settled law that parties’ assets are valued at the date of trial: see Cowan v Cowan [2001] 2 FLR 192, cited and applied in Hong Kong. This is the general approach, even with respect to volatile assets, such as businesses, property and, by extension, crypto-assets.

Given that the purpose of valuations is to assist the court in fairly determining the outcome of a case, it is foreseeable that some parties, owing to a sharp increase/decrease in the value of the crypto-assets, may wish to argue for the court to use another valuation date (e.g., the date of separation, the date of petition). It remains to be seen whether the Hong Kong courts (or the UK courts) will entertain a departure from the date of trial. If another valuation date is sought, it may be worthwhile to explore entering into an agreement with the other party, mutually agreeing on another valuation date. There are a few cases outside of Hong Kong where a different date of valuation has been adopted, but these are rare anomalies where the court concerned opted to do so for exceptional reasons.

What are some potential issues that individuals could come across when dealing with Cryptocurrency in a divorce? 

Three readily identifiable issues come to mind:

Disclosure: (1) As mentioned, a duty of full and frank disclosure applies. In Hong Kong, there are rules in place dictating the extent of disclosure in divorce proceedings. One party may need to seek additional disclosure to properly assess the other party’s financial situation. If the other party does not agree to provide the information sought, an application for specific discovery may need to be made.

(2) Crypto-assets are inherently volatile and known to potentially fluctuate enormously within short periods of time. While the party who does not hold the assets may be concerned with keeping updated on such developments as frequently as possible, the other party’s ongoing duty of disclosure must be balanced against imposing what may be considered an onerous or unfair burden to provide disproportionate levels of disclosure.

New territory: Crypto-assets are relatively new, can be complex, and are not necessarily universally understood as yet. How they are dealt with in the family law sphere is very much an evolving area. As such the court may likely require the assistance of an expert to provide information on the issue to fairly determine the case. Similarly, a party involved in a complex case may benefit from the advice and assistance of a forensic accountant (although costs may be an issue). This could be particularly key in instances where one party is attempting to hide assets as a forensic accountant familiar with crypto-assets could identify gaps in disclosure and potentially quantify sums of money not properly accounted for.

Arguments on risk/volatility:  It is not uncommon for one party to argue that the other party’s unwise and/or speculative investment justifies an “add-back” to the matrimonial pot of the sum that has been spent. The court does have the discretion and power to order the adding back of certain sums, but this is contingent on it being established that a party’s dissipation of assets was wanton and/or reckless spending of a very flagrant and exceptional standard. For example, gambling and drug and alcohol misuse have been held to constitute “reckless and wanton spending” justifying an add-back order. Unwise, risky and/or speculative business decisions, however, have not: see, M v M (Third party subpoena: financial conduct [2006] EWHC 2250 (Fam)).

There seems to be a sense of belief that Cryptocurrency can be hidden in a divorce. First of all, how difficult/easy is it to trace Cryptocurrency?  Is it possible for individuals to “hide” these assets and if they do, what could be potential consequences in a divorce?

As has been expressed above, any belief that one can hide assets of any nature in a divorce, including crytpo-assets, is misguided and not to be encouraged. It will not be entertained by the court. Deliberate non-disclosure of an asset is unlikely to be successful and will attract serious consequences, which have been set out above already.

Cryptographic or cryptography means encrypted in code. Inherent in the use of cryptocurrency is the concealment of identity; both the public and private end utilize encoded data. Cryptocurrencies are not an entirely anonymous system, however.  While it’s not possible to identify someone from a cryptocurrency address alone, depositories or third party cryptofinanciers (Bitfinex, Coinbase, etc) are often involved. This is important as those companies are required to maintain KYC (“know your client”) documents about their account holders (passport/identification information, etc). This is therefore a useful route to information about the owner of the wallet, as an example.

On the ability to trace, as with many things, this is a question of degree dependent upon the particular facts of the case and the assets involved. There are multiple cases concerning crypto-assets in Hong Kong and other jurisdictions where injunctions have been obtained together with discovery orders enabling the successful tracing of assets.

Cryptocurrencies present an exciting opportunity for new developments in law to address a changing financial landscape; it will be interesting to observe how the Hong Kong Family Court responds.

About Barrister Madeleine Booth: 

Recognised as a “Rising Star” in the area of Family and Private Law by the Legal 500 (2022) and as a leading junior barrister in “Family & Divorce Law” by Doyle’s Guide (2022) Madeleine’s practice is primarily civil litigation based, with a particular specialisation in family/matrimonial law.

“An exceptional barrister. Intelligent, articulate and incisive. She reads the court well and is nimble on her feet.” – The Legal 500, Asia Pacific Hong Kong Bar (2022).

Madeleine has broad experience in the Family Court and High Court regarding all manner of contested financial and child related matters, including financial dispute resolution hearings, children dispute resolution hearings, maintenance pending suit and litigation funding applications, ancillary relief trials and preliminary issue trials (trusts, properties, companies etc.), custody, care and control disputes, relocation applications, and applications under the Guardianship of Minors Ordinance). Madeleine also has experience in urgent ex parte applications (s 17 MPPO, DVO) obtaining various reliefs, and probate and inheritance (including applications under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependents) Ordinance) cases.

In addition to family law, Madeleine has experience in civil litigation matters, including actions in tort and trust related cases. Madeleine’s experience extends beyond advocacy to include providing written opinions, legal advice, and participating in mediation.

Spotlight Profile – Dr. Wing Kit Choi, Psychiatrist

In this spotlight profile, we are speaking to Dr. Wing Kit Choi, a forensic psychiatrist based in Hong Kong at Alpha Clinic. Dr. Choi is a former deputy chief of service in forensic psychiatry at Castle Peak Hospital and is currently working as a private psychiatrist at Alpha Clinic and is also an honorary clinical associate professor at The University of Hong Kong.

Dr. Choi, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and training?

I am a specialist in psychiatry. I graduated from Hong Kong University (“HKU”), and also have a Master’s Degree in Criminology. Thereafter, I obtained my membership at The Royal College of Psychiatrists and became a fellow of The Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists and specialist in psychiatry in 2006. Throughout my career, I have received intensive local and overseas training in forensic psychiatry.

Apart from practicing as a private psychiatrist at the Alpha Clinic in Hong Kong, I also teach medical students at HKU and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (“CUHK”) as an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor. I am also the Subspecialty Spokesperson in Forensic Psychiatry at the Hong Kong College of Psychiatrists and was the Consultant Psychiatrist and Deputy Chief of Service at the Department of Forensic Psychiatry at Castle Peak Hospital.

I am approved by the Hong Kong Hospital Authority for the purpose of Section 2(2) of the Mental Health Ordinance (Cap. 136) (“MHO”) as having special experience in the diagnosis or treatment of mental disorders or having special experience in the assessment or determination of mental handicaps. My clinical practice involves psychiatric risk assessment, management of mentally-disordered offenders, conducting psychiatric assessment and writing psychiatric reports for medicolegal purposes. I have been repeatedly appointed as a psychiatric expert witness in the High Court and have prepared psychiatric reports to different levels of Courts and law enforcement agencies. Other than criminal cases, I also provide medical assessments and reports for civil matters and have experience of acting as an expert witness in matrimonial proceedings.

That is an impressive resume and it is such an honour to speak with you given your extensive experience.

We are in a very sensitive era and globally it is estimated that 1 in 7 adolescents are experiencing a mental disorder with many teens citing depression and anxiety as a key issue of struggle.  What have you been experiencing in your private practice with respect to adolescents in Hong Kong and the issues they are struggling with?

Adolescents in Hong Kong are facing a wide range of mental health issues, as Hong Kong is a fast-paced society, schools in Hong Kong are demanding, not only in terms of academics but also on all-rounded development for students.

Children and youths in Hong Kong tend to grow up with a busy lifestyle, with lots of extra-curricular activities on top of academic requirements. Many children and youths do not cope well and it becomes very stressful for them in terms of chaotic time management which results in anxiety, worrying about not meeting deadlines due to heavy workloads and not doing their best in terms of academic performance. Children and youths also experience stress which can come from parents and also competition with peers /siblings on academic results or other areas of achievements. This can result in depression. Some youths may find themselves not doing their best which makes them question his/her own ability.

Coinciding with the pandemic in recent years, and lots of disturbances to the school learning mode and curriculum, youth anxiety and depression have become more prominent. The number of changes and uncertainties make it difficult for children and youth to adapt. For example, the suspension of face-to-face teaching has narrowed youths’ social circle and it results in the feeling of loneliness and it affects his/her social development.

What are the consequences of failing to address adolescent mental health conditions?

There are many consequences. Children and youths may not know how to detect one’s own anxiety or depressive symptoms. Some individuals tend to cover up their problems. Parents, teachers, or peers may not easily notice his/her issues which then intensifies a child/youth’s mood problems. This also can then result in a deterioration of the relationship between parent and child. The worst case is that a child/youth becomes suicidal or exhibits self-harm behaviour.

What impact have you seen with adolescents in terms of divorce and the breakdown of the family unit?

Through my experience, I have seen many adolescents struggle due to divorce. Some of the impact which rises up to the surface include:

  • Anxiety and distress
  • Emotional turmoil which results in a deterioration of family relationships
  • Depression
  • Deterioration of academic performance
  • Behavior issues including impulsive behaviour, delinquency and conduct disorders
  • Rebellion including risky behaviour such as early sexual activity and substance abuse
  • Problems that could extend into adulthood and result in substance abuse problems, mental health issues, negative impacts on romantic relationships, family and work.

What can parents do to help their children through divorce?

It is important for parents to keep a strong positive relationship with their children to assist them to cope with a divorce. It’s important not to argue in front of your children and try to avoid custody or visitation disputes altogether. It is also important to remind your children that they did not cause the divorce.

Parents can be open to children’s feelings, keep up on daily routines, and generally keep a close eye on any behavioral changes throughout the divorce process and beyond.

I also recommend parents to try to let their children know that those feelings are completely normal. For the most part, children simply need to understand that parents acknowledge their emotions about the situation.

If your children are angry, allow them to express that and validate those feelings. If they’re confused and full of questions, answer them in a neutral manner without letting any hostility about the divorce seep through. They may not want to verbalize their emotions.

It’s common for daily routines to become more irregular over the course of a divorce or separation. Regular pick-up and drop-off times for school, bedtimes, mealtimes, and other relevant routines will keep children in a range of familiarity, which helps to compensate for the level of change brought by the family divorce.

It’s also crucial to identify any signs of detachment or behavioral change in children. It lets parents know that intervention is necessary. Occasionally, parents can ask their children about their thoughts on the divorce, and reassuring them that they’re still loved and cared for all the same. If children stray from their usual behavior and don’t return to normal after six to eight weeks, it could be time to seek professional help through a child therapist.

In certain litigious divorces, children are asked to provide their input/testimony in divorce. Is this a good idea in your opinion? What negative or positive impact could this have on an adolescent and its potential impact on the relationship(s) between the parents?

It depends on the situation of each case. It may be beneficial that the children’s views or feelings can be taken into account. This is more effective if the child is of sufficient age and capacity. The child must also be able to form an intelligent opinion on the issue of custody.

Sometimes, children giving testimony in divorce might not be effective as a child might advocate for the more permissive parent, as opposed to the one who sets rules and limits.

Testimony in court may bring stress that a child might well avoid. They have to publicly and officially take sides in a divorce case which adds additional stress to a child already having to overcome.

Dr. Wing Kit Choi, PsychiatristAbout Dr. Wing Kit Choi, Forensic Psychiatrist:

Dr. Choi is a forensic psychiatrist at Alpha Clinic in Hong Kong. He is also an honorary associate professor at The University of Hong Kong. Forensic Psychiatry is a subspecialty of psychiatry in which scientific and clinical expertise is applied to legal issues in legal contexts.

Spotlight Profile – Caroline Langston, Global Executive Coach

In this spotlight profile, we are speaking with Caroline Langston, a global executive coach for high performers specializing in the banking, fintech, financial services, family office and law practices.

Caroline has been an executive coach for high performers for more than 12 years and assist individuals change and transition in their careers and lives for performance excellence and purpose.

In her role as a global executive coach, Caroline’s mission is to help high performers improve leadership, communication, focus, clarity and reduce stress.

Thank you for speaking with us today, Caroline.

Can you tell us a little bit about your background and training and how you became an executive coach?

I was an Executive Search Consultant, relocating very senior people into new jobs globally. When there are high stakes, such as relocating a global executive and their family into a new role, company, and country this requires staying close to them, executive coaching them and often their family into their new role and a new way of life. These moves can be very stressful for the spouses and children of the executives. I was coaching more and more often. I loved helping these individuals and their families, eventually taking on the role as an Executive Coach full time. I finally started my own business in 2019.

I did my neuro linguistic programming master practitioner and coaching qualifications 12 years ago, and over the last 3 years completed my International Coaching Federation (ICF) qualifications. I have a Certificate in Coaching Mastery, am accredited by the ICF as a Professional Certified Coach and am also a certified Team Coach.

As a global executive coach, can you explain to readers what your job entails and your role in these individual’s lives?

People come to me to make changes in their lives and careers. This might be career acceleration or change via performance coaching. It may be creating a more harmonious work/ life balance, by managing these elements more effectively. It may be to reach a personal development goal they have not managed to achieve themselves. We may work on emotional management as well throughout this. I am their unbiased partner to help them make this change and keep them on track to hit their goal.

This is carried out by a range of conversations, exercises and work which my clients will do in between sessions, such as exploration of possibilities as well as practicing and implementing new strategies to move towards their desired goal/s. They come back to me with the work they have been done, we assess this together and they decide what works, what does not and how to move forward towards their goal effectively.

One aspect of your role as a global executive coach is “divorce prevention.” Can you explain this further and how you assist clients in preventing divorce?

Globally there is higher and higher pressure to perform. Especially in Hong Kong where we have many senior executives working very long hours, there is pressure on the spouse as well as the other family members. I help people who are trying to resolve relationship disparity and imbalances. Coaching them through time and emotional management, helping them with communication and often looking at where they can borrow time to spend with their families. This has been life-changing for many of my clients.

Just to clarify, as an executive coach you are not teaching clients but rather talking to them as an unbiased partner?

This is correct. I am here to ask them those difficult questions they may not want to ask themselves. As I do not have that emotional connection like friends and colleagues, I am not afraid to dive into areas which others may not want to because of those personal relationships. I am completely unbiased and this helps.

You mention “reflective inquiry” – What do you mean by that?

Reflective enquiry is repeating back what they have said. I reflect verbally their words and ask them if this is what they really mean? For example, they may say “I just never seem to get a break to be with my family”. I may reflect back “I hear you are saying you NEVER get a break to be with your family. Is that really true?”. This may help them think about when they DO get a break albeit very short, what is happening during that time and how we can either create more time like that or maximise the time they have. It also helps them hear how hard they are working and how they really need to make that change and take that break.

What’s the difference between executive coach work and therapy?

A therapist may offer solutions to problems and actions to take. I will brainstorm with my client, but they are the ones who choose the solution or action they want to take. A therapist may also decide to talk about the problem in more depth, I move towards goals and outcomes. I help my clients clearly see the action they may need to take to move forward to their desired outcome.

Based on your experience it would then seem to appear that there can be much said about divorce prevention and working hard to make necessary adjustments. Is that correct?

Absolutely. The key is addressing any issue as soon as it arises. Ensuring there is great communication and finding out what the best possible outcome is for the whole family. Sometimes it just takes a conversation with your spouse or a slight change in time management. Sometimes it is setting that clear intention to make the change and then acting on it. This can be key to saving a relationship or a marriage.

About Caroline Langston, Global Executive Coach:

Caroline is a certified and accredited Global Executive Coach and has over 12 years’ experience of working with high performing individuals. Caroline specializes in the financial services, banking, fintech, family office and law practices.

Caroline’s mission as a global executive coach is to improve leadership, communication, focus, clarity and reduce stress and ultimately assist individuals to find purpose in their career/life.

Caroline uses a combination of traditional coaching, mindfulness-based coaching and neurolinguistic programming practices.

Caroline is based in Hong Kong but originally hails from the United Kingdom.

Divorce and Mental Health

The team at Hong Kong Divorce believes in the importance of self-care and health practices that nourish the mind, body and soul.  Healthy relationships really stem from a healthy mental state and divorce is a traumatic experience that can impact both your health and the health of your children.

As we have seen in our discussions with mental health professionals, learning how to communicate with one another and engaging in open discussion with your children assists in the healing process of divorce and stepping into a hopeful better future which becomes yours and your children’s “new normal.”

Through our many discussions with mental health professionals across Hong Kong, we have gathered useful tips from these experts from a mental health perspective on what individuals going through a divorce should remember during this difficult time:

Tip #1:  Learn to Communicate from the Heart – While changing behaviours is desirable, ultimate change comes from heart change.  According to Dr. Ida Ng, Licensed Psychologist, “[l]earned behaviour is not what naturally flows from the heart where emotions reside and by not addressing the emotions, the issues are not able to resolve.”

Tip #2:  Accept Change – In a divorce, individuals go through several changes and they are now learning to live a world where they must accept a new reality or a “new normal.”  For many, the change is so drastic that it is difficult to accept.  Learning to accept that changes are occurring and allowing yourself the time and space to adapt to the changes is key to healing.  This includes the changes your children may be experience as well.  Provide an open space and forum for your children the ability to speak freely about the changes they are experiencing and the corresponding emotions related to such change.

Tip #3:  Communicate, Communicate and Communicate More – Communication will be key during your divorce.  Individuals must learn to employ effective communication skills not only with their respective ex-partners whether it be through the process of divorce or during co-parenting challenges, but communication will also play a big role in the healing of your children.  This may be the opportune time for couples to attend couples therapy and for children to also attend therapy to allow them a safe space to communicate their feelings and emotions related to the divorce.  Dr. Ken Fung, clinical psychologist at the Jadis Blurton Family Development Center states that “[c]ouples therapy is a tool/platform to create a safe, comfortable and natural platform for couples to communicate with each other.  It is a way for couples to connect emotionally because many couples have been talking intellectually but that didn’t work out so in my sessions, I help them connect emotionally.”

Tip #4:  Employ Empathy and Compromise – As difficult as it might be in a divorce, it is important for couples to understand where their partner and his/her views are coming from.  By only focusing on your own views in a divorce, it becomes difficult to reach a compromise which is essentially a key element in having a healthier divorce and avoid a divorce that is litigious and stressful.  The ability to empathize and compromise will play an even bigger role if you and your spouse are forced to co-parent.  If your children are able to see that both parents can co-parent in a respectful way, you will see a healthier family dynamic post-divorce and this will allow your children to learn from such behaviour in how to navigate their own relationships going forward.

Finally, a uniform consensus among mental health professionals is to mix therapy along with other self-care alternatives.  You may therefore want to consider focusing on self-care activities such as meditation, acupuncture, reiki or any other healing methods that result in peace of mind and relaxation.  You may also consider focusing on your hobbies which can bring great joy and allows your mind and spirit to relax during one of the more stressful times of your life.

The team at Hong Kong Divorce has been conducting in-depth interviews with several mental professionals around Hong Kong and these Spotlight Profiles can be found as a resource on our website.

Tips for a Healthy Marriage

In a recent article published by the South China Morning Post, it was reported that marriage counsellors in China claim that mobile phone addiction is responsible for up to 30% of failed marriages in China. The reasoning, according to the article published by SCMP is that mobile phones occupy so much time and as a result, partners are no longer spending time communicating with each other and involving each other in day to day tasks such as household chores and children’s duties. This ultimately causes conflict among couples.

Whilst we might know what causes conflict in relationships and marriages, what can be said about what results in a healthy happy marriage?  Here are some top tips on how to maintain a healthy marriage and a good way to avoid a trip to a divorce lawyer’s office.

1. Act Like You Are Dating: Just because you are married, does not mean dating goes out the window. It is easy to find yourself in the same monotonous routine once you are married, especially given all the new responsibilities you may face as a couple and as parents. However, that does not mean you should neglect each other. Many couples divorce because they do not spend enough time together. Or, couples divorce because their attention is focused on other responsibilities, including children and work. Like seasons, priorities change and spouses may feel neglected. So do not forget that your spouse needs attention and care, and priority should be placed on the relationship. Spend time alone, go out on dates, continue to nurture your friendship with one another and then you are less likely to even consider divorce.

2. Respect and Kindness Through Words and Actions: By the time a couple is ready to divorce, their relationship is so broken, that couples are unable to communicate with one another, much less with any mutual respect and kindness. Respect for one another and kindness through words and actions go a long way when you are in a relationship, whether it is a friendship or a romantic relationship. If you can respect your spouse and express your love through kind words and actions, you are creating a healthy dynamic that will reap rewards throughout your marriage. Moreover, if the relationship is beyond repair, clients who at least recognize the importance of respect and kindness, can maintain a more level-headed approach to divorce. This in-turn allows for a more civil, reasonable (and cheaper) divorce process.

3. Transparency and Communication: There is something to be said about “mystery” and its allure when you are in the beginning stages of a dating relationship. However, when you are married, keeping big secrets from your spouse can be damaging to your marriage. Many marriages fall apart because an individual’s struggles related to finance, and addictions including alcohol, drugs and sex are kept secret. Being transparent and genuine about your struggles is never easy because it forces you to be vulnerable. However, if you value your marriage, you will work on and build upon your communication skills to maintain the relationship.

The underlying thread weaved throughout all the tips shared above is this: place priority upon your spouse’s needs. Marriage is a big commitment and once you take the step towards marriage, it is definitely worthwhile to make efforts to nurture it and hopefully it will also help you avoid a trip down the dreaded divorce highway.

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