Things To Do Before You Get Married

The joy and anticipation surrounding your wedding is something that you will cherish forever. Knowing that you will spend the rest of your life with your partner is a dream come true. While your big day is approaching, there are a few things that you should do before you tie the knot. These things will not only make you more prepared for your life together, but will also protect you and your spouse in the event things do not turn out the way that you had hoped. Here are a few things that you should do before you take the plunge.

1. Discuss Your Finances. Most couples combine their finances once they get married. But to avoid any problems down the road, you may want to have a full and frank discussion about bills, debts, and spending habits with your partner. While these topics can certainly put a damper on the mood, it is important that you both are clear on your expectations and how you plan to support yourselves prior to making it all official.
2. Apply For A Marriage License. For your union to be officially recognized by the state of Oklahoma, you must apply for and receive a marriage license. Without this document, you may not be able to file joint taxes or receive health insurance coverage. In order to get a marriage license, you must pay a $50 fee unless you have completed pre-marriage counseling which will reduce the fee to $5. Proof of age will also be required.
3. Consider a Prenuptial Agreement. A prenuptial agreement (prenup) is a document that describes how the issues surrounding custody, support, and the division of marital property will be handled in the event you and your spouse get a divorce. Clearly, getting a prenup can be a sensitive topic amongst potential newlyweds, but they are becoming more common. While no one wants to anticipate their marriage failing, a prenup can save you both time and money in the event things do not work out. You should use your best judgment if you are considering discussing a prenup as it has been known to drive a wedge between some couples.
4. Attend Premarital Counseling. In addition to receiving a reduction in your marriage license fee, premarital counseling can be a great tool to flush out any potential issues that could derail your marriage down the road. Topics like having children, where you will live, and the expectations that both you and your spouse will have during the marriage can all be openly and frankly discussed with a marriage counselor. To be sure, premarital counseling is not required in Oklahoma, but couples who complete it have been known to have a lower rate of divorce than those that do not.
5. Plan For Your Future. Openly discussing your finances prior to marriage is a good start, but you may also want to actively come up with a plan on how you and your spouse will live your life together. Questions like, how many children you plan to have, and who will be the breadwinner should all be ironed out before you walk down the aisle. The more you plan for the future the better. Continuing to keep the lines of communication open will do more good for your marriage than you know.

Oklahoma Family Law Attorneys

To learn more about what to do with legal matters prior to getting married, it makes sense for you to reach out to a family law attorney. Inner Vision Legal is a well-respected family law firm who has guided many clients through prenuptial agreements, divorce, and child custody matters among other things. Backed by more than 17 years of experience, Inner Vision Legal has been recognized as one of the best divorce law firms in Oklahoma. The firm aims to obtain outstanding results for our clients and to provide quality services at a reasonable cost. Touch base with Inner Vision Legal by calling (405) 724-2525 or by contacting us online.