Congratulations on your perfect wedding day! 🎉 You and your spouse had an amazing honeymoon and are now ready to embrace your happily-ever-after. But before you get too comfortable, it's time to tackle some important post-honeymoon legal and financial tasks to ensure your newly married status is fully reflected in your life.

What to Do After the Honeymoon

Start your married life with confidence by addressing these crucial to-dos during the first few weeks after your wedding. Taking these steps early will give you peace of mind and allow you to focus on your future together:

1. Update Your Estate Plan

• Meet with an experienced estate planning attorney to create or update your will or trust to reflect your marriage.
• Update your financial power of attorney or draft one if you don't already have it.
• Review and update your medical directive documents, including a medical power of attorney, advance directive, and HIPAA authorization form. Share copies with your healthcare providers.

2. Check Beneficiary Designations

• Update beneficiaries for life insurance policies, 401(k)s, IRAs, annuities, and other investment accounts to include your spouse.

3. Review Your Tax Withholdings

• Consult with your tax preparer to determine whether you should adjust your withholdings based on your marital status.

4. Secure Life Insurance Coverage

• If you don't already have life insurance, obtain a policy and name a beneficiary and contingent beneficiary.

5. Update Your Address

• Notify auto insurers, banks, employers, and other relevant parties if you've moved or are planning to move.

6. Add Your Spouse to Policies

• If desired, include your spouse on your group health and dental insurance plans.

7. Review Property Ownership

• Consider updating real estate ownership to reflect your marital status or adding your spouse as a joint owner, if applicable.

Steps for Legally Changing Your Name

If you've decided to change your name, notify the following institutions as soon as possible:

• Social Security Administration
• Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
• Passport Office
• Employers
• Schools
• Credit card companies and creditors
• Banks and financial institutions
• Insurance providers
• State taxing authorities
• Government benefits offices
• Utility and telephone companies

Contact an Experienced Estate Planning Attorney

Your wedding day marks the start of a beautiful chapter in your life. Let us help you ensure your financial and legal matters align with your new status as a married couple. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and secure your future together.

Start your married life with confidence, knowing your legal and financial foundation is solid.