If you and your partner agree on these four things before getting married, you have a very high chance of staying married:

Money – Are we living on a budget? Are we avoiding debt? Do we agree on spending, saving, and giving? Money fights and money problems are one of the biggest causes of divorce, so being on the same page financially is huge.

Kids – Are we having them? How many? How will we raise them? Are we going to be strict or laid-back? How do we feel about discipline? Kids are a blessing, but parenting can be tough—having these conversations early can prevent a lot of conflict later.

In-laws – How are we going to handle the crazy people in our family? Because let’s be real, every family has some level of crazy. Will we set boundaries? Will we stand together as a united front? Your marriage comes first, so you’ve got to be clear on where those lines are.

Religion – Are we on the same page about our faith? How will we incorporate it into our daily lives? What about church? What are our beliefs when it comes to raising our kids? Your faith is a foundation—if you’re pulling in two different directions, it’s going to be a struggle.

Marriage can be hard work if you're having constant battles over these big issues. Get aligned early, communicate often, and commit to standing together no matter what.