Different Legal Aspects to Consider When Getting Married

Getting married is a big deal. Not only is it a momentous life occasion, but it is also a big legal occasion as well. Being married doesn’t just bond two people together under the tenets of religious and social law – it also bonds two people together under the tenets of the actual law. This is something that is very important to consider when you get married. If you do not consider the legal aspects now, you may regret it later. When it comes down to it, there are financial arrangements to make and if you have children, there are arrangements to make in that department as well. Here are some of the different legal aspects to consider when getting married.

One of the most important legal aspects to consider is whether you can get married in the first place. This may seem like a ludicrous question (shouldn’t anyone be able to marry?), but the truth is that there are some laws the prohibit people from becoming legally married. For instance, polygamy laws state that you cannot get married if you are already married, or haven’t annulled a previous marriage. In addition, most states only allow a man and a woman to marry.

When it comes to same sex marriage, you have to find out what your state’s laws are. Some more progressive states have already made it legal for partners of the same sex to get married. Your other option – if your state does not allow you to marry – is to get a civil partnership. A civil partnership is like a marriage, but you don’t get all the same benefits. In addition, your state may allow same sex marriage, but it will not hand out licenses for people to perform these types of marriages, so you may have to make a trip to the courthouse.

Another important legal consideration is deciding when and where you plan on getting your marriage certificate and license. You will need to your marriage license and certification to gain from all the benefits of marriage. For instance, if you want to open a joint bank account, you will need to show proof of marriage. Couples usually get their marriage license before their wedding ceremony and then file for their certificate after the ceremony. Oftentimes, the person officiating the wedding will apply for the marriage certificate, which can make it a lot easier and convenient.

Lastly, you may also want to think about forming a prenuptial agreement. If you look at marriage like a business partnership, your prenuptial agreement will be like your contract. Your prenup agreement will go over all the financial details and minutiae. Many people don’t sign these contracts and then find themselves in a lot of trouble down the line when the marriage doesn’t work out. A prenup will basically be a blueprint of how assets and financials will be divided. Most people sign this agreement when one, or both, partners have significant assets at stake and don’t want to find themselves in a sticky situation later. You may also want to purchase a legal insurance plan – only to have your legal fees covered in the instance that the worst happens. While you want to enjoy being married, you also want to protect everything you’ve worked so hard for.