Life Event: Get Married

There are few things in life as exciting or as life changing as getting married. Whether you're planning a large wedding or a quiet elopement there is much that you need to be aware of as you make this transition. In the flurry of activity there is a lot that can be overlooked. Make sure you enter into marriage as prepared as you can be both emotionally and legally so that you can avoid some potential mishaps and start your marriage off on the right foot.

Before the Wedding

• Know the procedure for getting a marriage license - you can't get married without one.
• Is this a remarriage for either you or your new spouse?
• Understand the importance of pre- and post- marital agreements.
• Know how wedding insurance works and where to get it.
• Find out what to do when entering into contracts for services and products for the wedding or if the services or products are not received.
• Know who gets the ring if the wedding is cancelled.
• Find out about taking time off from work for the wedding.

The Honeymoon

• Know what to do about lost luggage on the honeymoon.
• Understand the effect of delayed or cancelled flights and changes to trip itinerary by service providers.

Settling In

• Know how to make name changes and what documents will need to be updated.
• Know the facts about combining finances.
• Bank Accounts
• Types of Accounts
• FDIC Insurance
• Get the facts about changing your name on your credit card or adding a signor to your account.
• Understand what you need to know about retirement assets.
• Wills & Trusts including guardianship of the person and property for children of the marriage.
• Get the facts about insurance policies.
• Get the facts about property and marriage.
• Understand what you need to know about creating marital property.
• Decide what property to keep separate.
• Know what you need to about renting or buying a house .
• Know what you need to about hiring movers.
• Find out how health care proxies work.
• Understand your change in tax status including whether you will be filing joint or separate returns and the tax consequences of marriage.
• Know what you need to do about your marriage and employer.
• Know the facts about pregnancy and family medical leave.