After your wedding has concluded, and you and your spouse have enjoyed your honeymoon, there are certain legal matters you and your partner must address immediately.
One of the first steps in getting married is acquiring your marriage certificate, usually filed by your officiant; copies can be obtained for a small fee online, by phone, or mail.
Change Your Name
One of the first things couples do after getting married is change their names, often by updating various documents such as insurance policies and credit cards. While this process can be time consuming, it is essential that it adheres to legal procedures so you are safe when doing it – be sure to notify both employers as well as family and friends of your change in name!
Dependent upon where you reside, to change your name at either the Social Security office or DMV you may require both your marriage certificate and driver’s license as proof. Companies like HitchSwitch offer services which facilitate this for an additional fee.
Name changing options also include keeping your maiden name as a middle name or merging both last names together – something known as “name meshing”. Some couples use this option when naming their children; it should be approached with caution as it could create confusion or conflict in some instances.
Change Your Address
After your wedding, you will need to change your address. One simple method for doing so is taking your marriage certificate and current photo ID into your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will also require proof of residency such as utility bills or bank statements as proof; your state’s DMV website or office can inform you what constitutes acceptable proof.
Your financial institutions (banks, credit card companies, mortgage providers, insurances) need to know about your name change so that you can consolidate accounts and maintain an accurate record of income.
Your taxes must reflect your new status as married couple, whether filing jointly or as “Married Filing Jointly.” Additionally, notify healthcare providers so you can share medical records.
File a Divorce
After getting married, there are a variety of legal matters that must be resolved. These include updating identification documents, consolidating bank accounts and making sure health insurance covers both partners. Couples should also review legal instruments like medical power of attorneys and living wills so they reflect their current relationship status.
Filing for divorce in New York should also be approached carefully and understood financially, since filing first can have serious repercussions for those filing first. As the person filing, this initial court fee obligation becomes the responsibility of both parties; temporary support orders could even be issued if one party doesn’t answer within a specified time frame.
Your marital status also impacts how you file taxes. For more information, check out Nolo’s guide to understanding state laws regarding property division and prenuptial agreements.
Change Your Insurance Policies
Even if you and your spouse opt to combine your insurance policies, it is still wise for couples to sit down together and discuss finances to avoid future arguments and ensure both are financially protected.
Consider purchasing life insurance as soon as possible if you don’t already have one; this will provide financial security should one partner die unexpectedly, leaving behind significant debt and expenses that will impact both individuals significantly.
As soon as you’re married, it is also wise to update your car and home insurance policies – many auto and home insurers provide discounts for married couples living together. Furthermore, adding your new spouse as the beneficiary on any life insurance policies you own could protect them from estate taxes as they would then receive their payout – this ensures their family are taken care of after death.