You can hear the wedding bells already, but before you say “Ido,” there are a number of important things that you and yourfuture spouse must do to become officially married.
Many newlyweds overlook the fact that a marriage is a legalcontract. While many couples often focus on the big day and all ofthe events surrounding the ceremony and reception, there are anumber of legal steps that newlyweds must consider as part of theprocess, according to FindLaw.com, the world’s leading onlinesource of legal information for consumers.
Here’s a prenuptial checklist with legal items to consider asyou merge your households into one.
Keep your maiden name, or take his last name? It’s a bigdecision, because if you decide to change your legal name, it meanschanging your name on everything from your driver’s license tostock certificates. Think about the last names of children you mayhave in the future.
Marriage requirements
Each state has its own requirements for couples wishing to bemarried. Make sure you and your future spouse know what therequirements are in your state and have fulfilled all marriagerequirements before the big day.
If either you or your future spouse has been married before,make sure you have obtained all legal documents to ensure that yournew marriage is valid and legal in the eyes of your state.
Most states have legal requirements pertaining to the marriageceremony itself. Check with your county or state government websiteabout these requirements.
Prenuptial agreements
A prenuptial or pre-marriage agreement can help define theproperty and financial rights and obligations of marrying spouses,including what will happen if the marriage ends. If you areconsidering entering into a prenuptial agreement, you should beaware of the legal requirements that must be met for the agreementto be considered valid and enforceable.
Marriage, money and property
Based on the laws of the state in which you marry and/or intendto establish your permanent residence, you should become familiarwith what is and is not considered marital or “community” property,and understand how to keep certain assets as separate property. Youalso should become familiar with your obligations as a new spousein taking on the debts and tax liabilities of your partner, andagree on how you’re going to handle finances as a newly marriedcouple.
Wedding day contracts
In preparing for your big day, you will sign a number ofcontracts for items such as wedding day photos, the reception halland a honeymoon package. Identify credible wedding day vendors,negotiate these contracts together and decide in advance how youwill handle a problem.
Will and health care directives
As you and your new spouse work together on merging yourfinances and assets, write a will together that also incorporatesend-of-life health care directives. This is especially importantfor previously married individuals who may be merging familiestogether.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
