{"id":351888,"date":"2016-04-04T11:02:38","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:02:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/family\/marriage\/checklist-documents-to-show-your-family-law-attorney.html"},"modified":"2023-07-12T16:40:44","modified_gmt":"2023-07-12T21:40:44","slug":"checklist-documents-to-show-your-family-law-attorney","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/family\/marriage\/checklist-documents-to-show-your-family-law-attorney.html","title":{"rendered":"Checklist: Documents to Show Your Family Law Attorney"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Checklist of Documents to Show Your Attorney Before Getting Married<\/h1>\n
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\n By Hanan Zaki, J.D., LL.M.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Rhonda Earhart, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\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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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Seeking legal advice before getting married will help you understand the legal aspects of marriage. This is particularly true if you intend to sign a prenuptial agreement. This checklist will help you organize documents to share with your attorney. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\r\n

Why Do I Need a Family Law Attorney Before Marriage?<\/h2>\r\n

Before the wedding, it’s important to seek legal help to make sure you follow the proper steps to get a marriage license and a marriage certificate.<\/p>\r\n

Emergencies or Eloping<\/h3>\r\n

State laws<\/a> about marriage are tricky.<\/p>\r\n

Getting married is more complicated than going to the clerk’s office for a marriage license<\/a>. The process can take longer than you expect. Some states have many steps, such as getting an affidavit and a notary to notarize the affidavit<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

What if you want to get married right now<\/i>? Thankfully, there is a way to skip the waiting process.<\/p>\r\n

A family law attorney<\/a> can apply for a waiver. The waiver will allow you to skip the waiting period and get married faster.<\/p>\r\n

Name Changes<\/h3>\r\n

Do you want to change your name<\/a> as a newly married couple? When should you change your name? Before the wedding? Or after the marriage ceremony? How do you change your name? What are the steps?<\/p>\r\n

Having an experienced family law attorney<\/a> to walk you through the steps will make the process much easier.<\/p>\r\n

Prenuptial, Postnuptial, and Separation Agreements<\/h3>\r\n

You may also consider getting a prenuptial agreement<\/a> (prenup), postnuptial agreement<\/a> (after getting married), or a separation agreement<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

These agreements can be complicated, but they can help protect your finances and property in the event of:<\/p>\r\n