DadsDivorce.com provides essential information and resources about divorce, alimony, child support and child custody to men and fathers at any stage of divorce.

Question:

I received a large sum of money through gifts and inheritance and have kept it in separate accounts.  They have not been co-mingled into the marriage so my spouse cannot touch it in the event of a divorce. I now have it in CD's but would like to invest the separate money into other investments, mostly into real estate with a little put into stocks and bonds. Can I do this and still be assured that the separate money I put up and any appreciation from the investments will still remain separate property and not subject to division in the event of a divorce? Would putting the separate property, gifts, inheritance, and real estate I owned before the marriage into a trust help in any way?

Don't you hate it when people you haven't seen for years suddenly want to take "just an hour or two of your time" to put you on a "road to financial success" and line their own pockets in the process?

Dan Danford, MBA, CRSP of Family Investment Center explains the psychology behind arming yourself against paying high commissions to long-lost acquaintances for financial services you don't need.

Hosted by Dan Danford, MBA, CRSP

What can I do to improve my situation quickly?

Consolidate similar accounts.

One reason people fail financially is because they are overwhelmed by the monthly papers and statements.  It might take a few minutes, but transferring all IRA accounts to the same place makes it much easier to follow each month.  The same with other accounts.  Find a convenient place where you can consolidate all your mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and bank certificates.