First considerations
- Decide together when and where you will marry and who will officiate. Take family members’ suggestions into account; however, never allow yourselves to forget that it is your marriage. Setting boundaries with family members during the planning process will likely set the tone for future relationships with in-laws.
- Maintain an open dialogue with your fiancé(e) about how he or she feels about having children, parenting styles, spiritual issues, sexuality, communication, conflict, and your respective family members. Consider pre-marital sessions with a counselor through your employee assistance program to discuss these issues and to learn skills that will be helpful in your marriage relationship.
- Talk to your city or town court house clerk about rules regarding marriage licenses and certificates in your area.
- Discuss a pre-nuptial agreement with your intended if you feel there might be major property/asset issues involved in the case of divorce. Research local laws to determine what is considered joint property once you are legally married.
- If you plan to change your name, contact your local Social Security office to find out what is required and when you can initiate the change. Then notify your employer, bank, credit card and insurance companies, department of public safety (driver’s license), and service and utilities providers.
- Determine before the wedding what type of property you and your partner will own jointly. Discuss the need for wills, power of attorney (POA), durable POAs, health care directives, and registrations on investments, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. Seek legal advice to determine if hiring legal help with this is necessary.
- Discuss each other’s debts and assets to determine monthly spending habits. Include house payments, car and college loans, and credit card balances. Consider designating one person to pay the bills each month as well as a regular time to keep each other up to date on expenses.
- Review each other’s health, life, car and other types of insurance to determine needed adjustments and additions. Review employee benefits and decide whether you should merge coverage or retain benefits independently.
First considerations
- Decide together when and where you will marry and who will officiate. Take family members’ suggestions into account; however, never allow yourselves to forget that it is your marriage. Setting boundaries with family members during the planning process will likely set the tone for future relationships with in-laws.
- Maintain an open dialogue with your fiancé(e) about how he or she feels about having children, parenting styles, spiritual issues, sexuality, communication, conflict, and your respective family members. Consider pre-marital sessions with a counselor through your employee assistance program to discuss these issues and to learn skills that will be helpful in your marriage relationship.
- Talk to your city or town court house clerk about rules regarding marriage licenses and certificates in your area.
- Discuss a pre-nuptial agreement with your intended if you feel there might be major property/asset issues involved in the case of divorce. Research local laws to determine what is considered joint property once you are legally married.
- If you plan to change your name, contact your local Social Security office to find out what is required and when you can initiate the change. Then notify your employer, bank, credit card and insurance companies, department of public safety (driver’s license), and service and utilities providers.
- Determine before the wedding what type of property you and your partner will own jointly. Discuss the need for wills, power of attorney (POA), durable POAs, health care directives, and registrations on investments, retirement accounts, and insurance policies. Seek legal advice to determine if hiring legal help with this is necessary.
- Discuss each other’s debts and assets to determine monthly spending habits. Include house payments, car and college loans, and credit card balances. Consider designating one person to pay the bills each month as well as a regular time to keep each other up to date on expenses.
- Review each other’s health, life, car and other types of insurance to determine needed adjustments and additions. Review employee benefits and decide whether you should merge coverage or retain benefits independently.