Getting married is one of the biggest steps you are going to take in your life, and even though we try to focus only on the wedding itself, there are a lot of other things you need to pay attention to. When you tie the knot with someone, there are a lot of things in your life that is going to be affected. In this article, we are going to talk about some of the legal facts you should know before you have your wedding. Continue reading if you want to learn why it is always good to have wedding insurance; if you are allowed to get married abroad, and when you should update your will.
1. You may need an insurance
The first thing we are going to talk about is wedding insurance. Many couples are not aware of this, but you can get your money back in case something goes wrong with the wedding. Note that this process is made to protect your investment, and depending on the policy, you may get reimbursed for everything starting from the flowers up to the rings and the venue.
The best time to get this insurance is at the start of the planning process so you can pay attention to all the costs and if needed, get all of your money back.
2. Living together is not the same as being married
One of the things you need to know is that living together does not count as being legally married. You may choose to live with your partner for as long as you want, and you may share responsibilities and finances, but you are not together in the eyes of the law.
This means that you will get no legal rights, and if you decide to split, or if one of the partners dies, the other one has no legal rights to income, capital, or inheritance. This is an extremely important thing you need to be aware of, and in many cases, it is better to tie the knot than to just live together.
3. You can tie the knot abroad
Now let’s talk about getting married abroad. Many couples choose to have a wedding in other counties, but they are not sure if the marriage will be legal in their home country when they get back.
Note that the legality depends on the country where you come from, and the place where you choose to have your wedding. Check to see if it will be allowed depending on your current law, and you should also know that you need to comply with the legal process of the country where you tie the knot. To be sure that everything is legal, it is best to consult with a legal advisor before you start planning the wedding.
4. Having a prenup is always a good idea
Having a prenup is the best way to protect the assets of both parties, and even though it is frowned upon in some countries, it can save you a lot of time and money in case you decide to file for a divorce down the road.
Note that in case you choose to sign the prenup, it is advised for both parties to have separate attorneys that will help them with the contract. You should also know that the prenup cannot limit rights in most cases, and when it comes to matrimonial homes, www.matrimonialhome.com suggests that both parties are in the possession of the home, no matter the marriage contract.
5. You need to update your will
Depending on the location where you live, you may need to update your will. In some countries, the will you had before you tied the knot will not be valid after you get legally married. Know that there are some ways to make the will valid no matter if you get a new spouse, or if you get divorced, but this is a complex procedure.
To make sure everything is valid and legal, it is best to consult with your legal advisor before you tie the knot and before you get legally married. Know that having a will is always a good choice because in case you don’t have one, things will be decided by the state and the law.
6. Are you eligible to marry?
When talking about this, many people think that eligible to marry only means if the partners are above the legal age. Even though this is extremely important, there are other things that are a part of it.
You are allowed to get married if both of you are of legal age, and that age in most countries is 18. There are some cases where people could get married, even if they are underage, but people cannot get married if they are under the age of 16.
Know that you cannot tie the knot with a new person if you are still legally married to another, and in some countries, you need to wait a specific amount of time before you are allowed to get remarried. In case your previous spouse died, you will need to show a copy of the death certificate to the celebrant.
7. What happens if one of the spouses dies?
This is something that you should know, even though no one wants to think about the worst happening. Death is an inevitable part of life, and it is bound to happen at some point.
Know that when it comes to pension, the rules are complex and they depend on the country where you live. Depending on the insurance you have, and the annuity you’ve gotten, your pension may or may not go to your partner.
To make sure this is covered, the best thing you can do is consult with an attorney and create an agreement depending on your wishes. You can also take care of these things by adding your spouse as your beneficiary.
These are some of the legal things you should know before you have your wedding. In case you have any questions, or if you are confused about anything, you should always consult with a legal advisor. These things can help you have a better future, and it will take a lot of the financial burden off of both parties.