Now that you are married, there are a few legal matters you should keep on your horizon, especially if you own property, have children or pets, or won a business. Get a will drawn up.
There are a few options out there for getting a will prepared. You an hire a lawyer or fill out a will online. If you have children from a previous relationship, own a business or own multiple properties, hiring a lawyer to draw up your will may be best. If you are just starting out, an online option may be sufficient until you have major life events occur (like having children).
The only people who can really give you true legal advice are lawyers – but we have compiled a list of things you and your spouse should discuss prior to the appointment, so you both know what you would like to happen in the event you both pass.
- Property: If you own a home or property, what do you want to happen to it in the even of your death? Do you want it to be sold? Kept in the family? If it is sold, do you have any person or charity you would want the proceeds to go to?
- Children: If you have children, who would you want to care for them? How much life insurance money would you want to be set aside for the children? If they are underage at the time of your death, who would you want to be the trustee of the life insurance money until they are older?
- Pets: Who would you like to take care of your pets? Do you have life insurance money devoted to their care?
- Social Media: It may seem strange to think about, but in all the years of getting MySpace, Facebook, Tumblr, Ello and the next latest and greatest social profile, there is a lot of information about you online. Keep a list of profiles (deactivate them, turn them into memorial pages, etc) in a secure place. This goes for email accounts, too.
These are important questions to chat over as a couple and decide how you would want a legal will to indicate your wishes.