11
Practical Things To Remember Before Getting Married
- by KissMeGoodnight.com
Marriage is an act of free choice and personal
commitment between two adults, and at the same time it is also
a social institution. As such, the state has a vested interest
in the success of your partnership as a basic unit of society.
In the weeks and days before your wedding, or very shortly
thereafter, you will have to take care of some of the following
practical matters.
1.
Find out how to apply for a marriage license in the city
or county where the ceremony is to be held and meet whatever
requirements exist there. These vary from place to place and
state to state: waiting periods, blood tests, evidence of vaccinations,
a general physical exam, etc. Ask your officiant about the
licensing requirements, or call the county recorder clerk's
office.
2. Make appointments for any medical
checkups or procedures you want to have completed before marriage.
3.
Change beneficiaries to include your spouse on any preexisting
insurance policies such as health or life insurance or investment
plans. Most people have these plans through their employer,
so talk to your human resources at work to find out how your
marriage will affect whatever policies and plans you have.
4. Compare the benefit
and protection plans each of you holds
and determine what else you may need. Contact your independent
insurance agent for changes and additions on car and home-owner's
insurance, as well as on any other coverage.
5.
Add your spouse's name to any bank accounts,
car registrations, investment accounts, or credit cards you
intend to share. Be
careful, though, because little words like “and” and “or” make
a difference. A joint savings account for Jane Smith "and" John
Smith means that both signatures are required for a transaction; "or" means
either signature will do. You should understand that, if you
hold bank accounts and/or credit accounts in both names, you
will each have free access to those accounts and each be legally
responsible for any bills incurred by the other.
Tip: It would be wise to thoroughly investigate
the legal and tax ramifications, under the laws of your state,
of placing
any previously owned private property into joint ownership.
The state does not automatically assume that a husband and
wife are one entity, and sometimes, even if only in the interest
of marital harmony, it makes sense to retain some "separate" property
rights on significant holdings. Get professional advice for
more information.
6. If you will change your name after marriage or if he will
be combining his surname with yours, you each need to effect
that change on driver's licenses, employment records, Social
Security cards, bank accounts, credit cards, and so on. A married
woman does not have to change her name at all, and failure
to do so will not affect the legitimacy of children born of
the marriage.
In addition, in the U.S., under the Equal Credit Opportunity
Act (ECOA), a woman is entitled, and encouraged, to maintain
her own separate credit rating. Even if she has no outside
employment, she can establish a personal credit rating by simply
using her own name. In addition, under the ECOA, a person may
not be denied a credit application or refused a loan because
of marital status.
7.
If you have a will, you might want to review its provisions
in light of your new status with an attorney in the state in
which you will be residing after marriage. Rights of survivorship
vary from state to state, and a will executed in one location
is not automatically upheld in another.
8. If there are any
assets at all between you and any concern
for the welfare and convenience of your spouse should something
happen, you should each have a will. Nobody likes to think
about such things, but the time to do it is now when you are
both healthy and happy.
9. If either of you has been married before or is receiving
alimony, keep in mind that it will stop once you are remarried.
Other aspects of the divorce settlement could be affected,
as well. You will need to inform your former spouse about your
marriage plans, and one, or both of you may need to see an
attorney.
10. If either of you owns
a business or if you plan to own and operate a business
together, seek legal and professional
advice. There are special considerations for husbands and wives
as business partners under the law.
11.
Review your tax situation. Most married couples still
find filing jointly to be the easiest, most advantageous method.
But that may not be true for you. Note that if you do file
jointly, you will each be responsible for the full total of
the tax bill.
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by KissMeGoodnight.com
: 2007
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