Getting Married – What Issues Should I Consider When Getting Married?

2026 · WHAT ISSUES SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN GETTING MARRIED?
Do you need to determine the size of your emergency fund?Are there credit history issues?If so, consider:Pulling annual credit reports to understand where the issues arise.Developing a plan to rebuild credit history. Maintaining joint credit cards, to help build the credit history of the spouse with poor credit. ASSET & DEBT ISSUES (CONTINUED)YESNOAs a couple, do you need to discuss financial topics?If so, consider the following:Your own individual career and personal goals.The amount you are both comfortable saving for the future and the amount you are comfortable spending now.The issues that may cause money-related stress between you.Will your cash flow needs change?If so, consider developing a new income and expense plan.Do you need to adjust how much you are saving?Do you need to identify and assign financial responsibilities (e.g., oversight and management of cash flow, accounts, investments, etc.)? Do you plan to combine finances?Do you and your spouse use credit cards?If so, consider which card provides the best benefits (features, points, etc.) and the potential benefits of consolidating the number of cards.CASH FLOW ISSUESYESNOHave your investment goals or risk tolerance for any of your accounts changed as a result of the marriage?Do you maintain separate accounts (e.g., investments, checking, saving)?If so, consider the benefits of opening joint accounts.Do you or your spouse have any substantial debts?If so, consider the following:Pay down debts with the highest interest rates first.Consolidate debts when beneficial. (continue on next column)ASSET & DEBT ISSUESYESNOAre you each currently covered by your respective employer’s health insurance?If so, consider the following:One health plan may be more advantageous than the other.There is a limited window to enroll after a qualifying event.For the Health Insurance Marketplace, you have 60 days after your marriage to enroll according to the special enrollment period rules. If participating in a Health Savings Account, family plans offer higher contribution levels than individual plans. Has there been a change to the amount of life/disability coverage you need?Do you need to update homeowners or renters insurance?If so, consider adding your spouse to the policy and updating the coverage in light of the combined value of your belongings, including jewelry.Do you and your spouse own vehicles?If so, consider reviewing auto insurance policies to see if there can be a cost savings from consolidating.INSURANCE PLANNING ISSUESYESNO
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2026 · WHAT ISSUES SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN GETTING MARRIED?
Were you or your spouse previously married?If so, consider the following:Note any claim an ex-spouse may have on assets.If there are support obligations, consider how they will impact cash flow.Note the impact of remarriage on Social Security benefits.Do you or your spouse have children from a previous marriage?If so, consider the following:Carefully structure your estate plan to balance the interests of and protect your spouse and your collective children. A prenuptial agreement is likely advisable.Plan how to fairly fund the needs of minor children (e.g., education funding) and coordinate with agreements and obligations of ex-spouses.If the children from the previous marriage are minors and will be attending college soon, financial aid for FAFSA schools will be based on the income and assets of the custodial parent.Are you or your spouse planning to change names? If so, be sure to take all proper legal steps, and make global updates (Social Security, driver's license, passport, financial accounts, etc.).Are there state-specific issues that should be considered, such as living in a community property state?Do you need to review your filing status?If so, MFJ offers more deductions than MFS and will result inlower tax liability in most cases. MFS can make sense in certain situations, such as business owners attempting to qualify for the QBI deduction, or in the case of certain student loans.Do you need to review and update tax withholdings/estimates?Do either of you have tax loss carryforwards?If so, consider how to best utilize such carryforwards in the future.Does your new filing status and Adjusted Gross Income impact your ability to contribute to tax-advantaged accounts?TAX PLANNING ISSUESYESNOAre you planning on making any major expenditures in the near future (such as buying a home, home improvements, or education)?If so, consider developing a plan now to ensure adequate funding.Do you need to review or compare goals as a result of the marriage?Do you need to create or update your estate plan?Do your beneficiary designations need to be reviewed and possibly updated?This includes retirement plans, life insurance, and TOD accounts.Do you or your spouse have a successful business, sizable inheritance, or debts that you would like to keep separate?If so, consider a prenuptial agreement.Do you plan on having children and want yourself or your spouse to stay home to raise the children?If so, consider your ability to pay for a major purchase (such as a house) and maintain your desired lifestyle on one income. LONG-TERM PLANNING ISSUESYESNOOTHER ISSUESYESNO
© fpPathfinder.com. Licensed for the sole use of Ryan Weiser, CFP® of Weiser Financial Planning. All rights reserved. Used with permission. Updated 12/15/2025.
Weiser Financial Planning, LLC

Weiser Financial Planning, LLC is a Fiduciary, and Fee-Only Financial Planning Firm. A Registered Investment Adviser in Lewis Center, OH that provides Comprehensive Financial Planning and Investment Management Services to clients in the Columbus & Central Ohio area, as well as Nationwide though online virtual meetings. Ryan J. Weiser CFP®, CDFA® is the president and founder of Weiser Financial Planning LLC. He helps people connect their money with the things that are most important to them by making wise financial decisions, so they can maximize their money and live the best life possible. 

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