Congratulations Newlywed! When you applied for your marriage license, you probably told the Clerk if you would keep or change last names; however, there are several steps to updating the name if you are changing your name. Here are several other things to consider as you start your life together that require action on your part:

  • Name Change
    • Social Security. Take your marriage certificate to update your name with Social Security.
    • Visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles to update your driver’s license.
    • Contact the Passport office to update your passport.
    • Contact financial institutions to change the name on your bank accounts and credit cards.
  • Credit
    • Will you add your spouse to your credit accounts as an authorized user? Does either of you have credit problems? If one spouse has credit problems, experts recommend keeping your credit separate.
    • Whose credit is stronger? Will you keep their credit accounts? If you are planning to purchase a home in the near future, be sure to consider how any changes might affect your score and ultimately affect your mortgage.
    • When should you close credit accounts? Your credit score will likely drop when credit accounts are closed. Credit scores look to see how long you have had your accounts open, so consider keeping accounts with long histories open.
  • Estate Plan
    • Wills
    • Healthcare Directives
    • Update beneficiaries
  • Utilities, Lease, etc.
    • Whose name are the utilities in? Utility companies typically only speak with the account owner. Consider adding both names to the accounts.
    • Do you need to update your lease?
    • If you own a home, will you add your new spouse to the Deed?

We develop estate plans that include Wills, Revocable Living Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives and work with newlywed couples. Call Grissom Law, LLC at 678-781-9230 to schedule an appointment with our attorney.

Disclaimer

This Blog/Web Site is made available for educational purposes only. In addition, it is available to give you general information and a general understanding of the law, not to provide legal advice. By using this blog site you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and Grissom Law, LLC.