4 Things Successful Married Couples Do According to a Divorce Attorney

If there’s one person who knows about how to have a great marriage, it’s someone who’s seen way too many marriages crumble to pieces.

Elliot Polland is a New York divorce attorney who has been practicing for an astounding 50 years. And with the high divorce rates in the USA, you know he knows what he’s talking about!

Polland spoke with INSIDER to dish out important advice on what successful married couples do. Here are his 4 big rules.

1. Set up boundaries with your in-laws.

In-laws can give you some of the best advice about marriage, especially if they’ve been in a successful one for years. However, it’s important that their influence on you as a married couple has its limits. It’s different for every situation, but you have to firmly set a firm boundary on what aspect of your marriage they can interfere with.

2. Stay affectionate.

That doesn’t necessarily mean you need to maintain a constantly active sex life. But the power of physical affection goes a long way in maintaining a connection with your spouse. A kiss on the cheek before leaving for work, cuddling while watching TV, or holding hands are some of the ways you can maintain a physical relationship.

3. Keep records of your assets.

Marriage isn’t all about love and kids and fun times, the serious financial stuff comes into play to. Many couples argue endlessly about money, especially who spends for what and who earns what. Instead of relying on your memory about your joint finances, it’s important to maintain records.

4. Have the important stuff in common.

Once the initial attraction fades, you need to fall back on things you have in common with your partner such as your life goals, your financial philosophy, your beliefs, or your parenting style. This ensures that you’re less likely to disagree on the important aspects of your marriage, especially when you have children together.

There’s no denying that maintaining a happy marriage takes work. But with these 4 tips will help you decide which part of your marriage you should focus your energy on.