Quick Links:
|
The Day After
So much time and effort is spent on planning the wedding...locations, flowers, dresses, attendants, readings, music, reception...and the list goes on.
But the REALLY important stuff happens in the days after the wedding! Here's a handy reference guide you can use to make sure that you take care of all the legal and financial odds and ends. Plan on taking a day off of work after you return from your honeymoon to handle these odds and ends.
- Get a couple of copies of your marriage certificate. For quickest service you may want to phone your County Clerk to find out how to pick up copies in person. Otherwise, copies can be mailed to you. Place one copy in a safe place such as a bank's safe deposit box or wherever you keep your important papers. As an aside, Rev. Chris recommends keeping copies of all of your important documents (deeds, wills, insurance papers, etc.) somewhere other than your house...just in case there's a fire or other natural disaster. Safe deposit boxes in banks are great options...but other FREE options include keeping them in a sealed envelope at a family member or friend's house.
- DMV/Driver's License: You'll need to visit your local DMV to change your name on your driver's license. They may require a small fee.
- Social Security: Download the form you'll need to change the name on your Social Security account by clicking here. You'll need to present the form as well as your driver's license and a certified copy of your marriage license.
Once your driver's license and Social Security card have both been updated, you'll need to update your contact information with the following:
- Utilities
- Cable
- Phone
- Electric
- Gas
- Water/Sewer
- Trash
- Insurance
- Homeowners
- Life
- Your life & you as your spouse's beneficiary
- Health
- Disability
- Your disability & you as your spouse's beneficiary
- Financials
- Savings Accounts
- Checking Accounts (you'll need to order new checks as well as a new debit card)
- Credit Cards (including the majors as well as retailer cards, coupon cards, and rewards cards)
- Investment Accounts
- Employer
- Digital
- E-Mail Accounts
- Online Subscription Services
- Legal
- Wills
- Trusts
- Financial Power of Attorney
- Medical Power of Attorney
- Living Will
- You as the beneficiary of anyone else's will
- You as the POA for anyone else's Power of Attorney
- Miscellaneous
- Newspaper subscription
- Doctor's Office
- Dental Office