{"id":351884,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:38","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/marriage\/are-you-ready-for-marriage.html"},"modified":"2023-07-26T15:22:55","modified_gmt":"2023-07-26T20:22:55","slug":"are-you-ready-for-marriage","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/marriage\/are-you-ready-for-marriage.html","title":{"rendered":"Are You Ready for Marriage?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Are You Ready for Marriage?<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Are you ready for marriage? Married couples deal with a range of issues from finances to parenting. Discussing these issues before getting engaged can help you determine if you are ready for marriage. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

After the highs of a wedding and the promises of a "happily-ever-after," newlyweds enter the lull of everyday life. A happy marriage will depend on how well a married couple handles issues like financial assets, communication, conflict, parenting, in-laws, leisure time, sexuality, spirituality, and chores.
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Many married couples don’t talk about the practicalities of their future together before the wedding date. Because of that, married life can start off rocky, with more conflict than romance.<\/p>\r\n

This article may help you say, "I’m ready," or determine if now is not the right time for marriage.<\/p>\r\n

The First Fundamental Question<\/h2>\r\n

The first question to ask yourself is, "Why do I want to get married?" It may seem like a simple question, but it can save you from hard times down the road.<\/p>\r\n

Before rushing into wedding planning mode, it’s important to consider if you want to spend the rest of your life with your significant other. Consider your life goals and whether your partner shares them. It may surprise you how open communication about these subjects will improve your future together and lead to a successful marriage.<\/p>\r\n

Finances and Money Management<\/h2>\r\n

Money is a common source of conflict in a marriage. It is important to establish financial goals in advance. A family law attorney can help address financial issues by preparing a premarital agreement<\/a> (also known as a prenuptial agreement). To avoid conflict in the future, married couples should talk about financial goals before getting married.<\/p>\r\n

Discuss your significant other’s financial expectations before getting married<\/a>. How will you manage money? Will you share finances and property equally? Remember, each state views marital and separate property differently.<\/p>\r\n

Property inherited during the marriage is considered separate property. Your state may have rules about "commingled property" where separate property is combined with marital property. So, it is important to discuss this with a lawyer before combining inheritance funds with marital funds. Separate property means it’s not owned by your significant other.<\/p>\r\n

States differ on how to treat marital property \u2014 the property acquired or earned during the marriage. Community property states divide marital property 50\/50. Other states use "equitable distribution," which means they divide the property "fairly" (sometimes 50\/50 or some other proportion).<\/p>\r\n

Determining how you will manage money before the ceremony can help to avoid marriage money problems<\/a> down the line. You may want to ask each other the following questions:<\/p>\r\n