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Checklist: Steps To Take When You're Getting Married

Marriage brings exciting changes, including financial and legal adjustments that impact your estate planning. This checklist will help ensure your estate is properly updated, organized, and protected for your future together.

1. Legal and Estate Planning Updates

Reviewing and updating estate planning documents ensures that your spouse is legally protected and that your wishes are accurately reflected.

Create a new will or modify your will to include your spouse as a beneficiary and adjust any provisions based on your new marital status.

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Advance directives outline your healthcare preferences for situations where you may be too ill to express your wishes.

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If you have an existing trust, update it to include your spouse and reflect any changes in financial goals or family planning.

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Consider designating your spouse as your financial power of attorney and medical power of attorney so they can make decisions on your behalf if needed.

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Ensure these documents align with your estate planning goals.

2a. Updating Personal and Account Information

Reviewing and updating estate planning documents ensures that your spouse is legally protected and that your wishes are accurately reflected.

If you and your spouse have moved, update your address with the post office to ensure important mail reaches you both.

Notify banks, insurance providers, credit card companies, and loan servicers of your marital status change to ensure records are accurate.

2b. Special Considerations for Women: Name Change & Legal Updates

If you’re changing your last name after marriage, several legal and financial updates are required.

Apply for a name change through the Social Security Administration (SSA).

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Visit the DMV with your marriage certificate and updated Social Security card.

Apply for a new passport with your updated name.

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Notify banks, lenders, and credit card companies about your new legal name.

Ensure health, auto, and life insurance policies reflect your legal name. Consider combining policies to save money.

If your name appears on real estate deeds, car titles, or business contracts, update them accordingly.

3. Financial and Beneficiary Updates

Some financial accounts and policies override your will, so updating beneficiaries is crucial.

Determine whether to merge bank accounts, add your spouse to existing accounts, or maintain separate finances based on your financial goals.

Change beneficiary designations on joint or individual accounts where applicable.

Ensure your bank accounts, retirement accounts, and insurance policies reflect your spouse as the designated recipient, if desired.

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Check automatic payments and direct deposits to ensure they align with your joint financial structure. Update billing information and account access where necessary.

Check eligibility for employer-sponsored benefits such as health and dental insurance, retirement plans, and life insurance. Update your marital status with HR and take advantage of any new spousal benefits.

Update your W-4 form with your employer(s) to reflect your new marital status and determine the appropriate tax withholding.

Ensure your spouse is the primary beneficiary on your 401(k), IRA, pension, and life insurance policies.

If you didn’t have life insurance before, consider whether additional coverage is necessary for financial protection.

4. Property and Asset Management

Owning property jointly or updating ownership titles ensures your spouse has legal rights and access.

If you want to hold real estate jointly, update ownership records accordingly.

Document real estate, vehicles, investment accounts, and other valuable property.

Track mortgages, student loans, credit cards, and other financial obligations acquired during the marriage.

If either spouse owns a business, review buy-sell agreements and succession plans.

5. Organizing Important Documents

Properly organizing legal and financial documents makes them easy to locate in emergencies.

Gather and store key documents, including:

  • Marriage certificate
  • Updated wills and trusts
  • Life insurance policies
  • Property deeds and vehicle titles
  • Financial and investment statements
  • Healthcare directives and power of attorney documents

Ensure that the the physical copies of your important documents are stored securely, preferably in a fire and water resistant area.

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6. Communication and Planning for the Future

Keeping family members informed can prevent confusion and ensure a smooth transition if needed.

Talk about financial priorities, inheritance preferences, and end-of-life wishes.

Inform close relatives about key updates, especially if roles like guardianship or power of attorney have changed.

If you have or plan to have children, outline guardianship and financial provisions in your estate plan.

Estate plans should be revisited every few years or after major life changes such as buying a home or having children.

Ensure that your employer, school, medical providers, and other key organizations have updated emergency contact information for both spouses. Discuss emergency preparedness and create or update an emergency plan together.

Compile names and contact information for essential professionals, family members, and trusted individuals, including:

  • Estate attorney
  • Financial advisor
  • Insurance agent
  • Tax professional
  • Employer HR contact
  • Primary care doctor and specialists
  • Emergency contacts and family members
  • Executors, trustees, and power of attorney designees

Leave Your Heirs The Gift Of Organization With a CLEAR Kit

Did you know?

The average estate takes 570 hours to administer.

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