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The 5 Things Senior Couples Should Know About Getting Married and Merging Lives Later in Life
By Derek Goodman of inbizability.com
Getting married later in life can boost your happiness and confidence levels. However, before you take the plunge into marital bliss, it’s best to prepare. Whether you’re getting married in Detroit, Michigan, or Austin, Texas, you should know these five things before saying “I do.”
1. Sit Down With a Financial Advisor To Navigate the Ins and Outs of Combining Marital Finances
Financial issues and disagreements are commonly cited as a top cause of marital strain, so before scheduling your wedding date, make sure you sit down and talk money with your spouse. It may be helpful to meet with a counselor or professional financial advisor to successfully navigate the ins and outs of combining and handling your finances.
First and foremost, you’ll want to establish a household budget and decide whether you’ll want a joint account. You should also discuss spending habits, long-term saving goals, and decide who should cover which bills, if applicable.
2. Search for the Ideal Home Where You Can Start Your New Lives Together
According to one study, sharing a house can have positive effects for both residents, provided the environment is comfortable and supports a healthy lifestyle. That’s why it will likely be helpful for your marriage to find a home that makes you both happy. When searching for a place to start your new lives together, consider the following factors:
- Your top desired location
- Proximity to family and friends
- Proximity to key services and amenities
- Your budget
- Your architectural and design preferences
3. Don’t Underestimate the Potential Benefits of Starting a Business With Your New Spouse
If you and your spouse are hoping to start up a second career and you want to bring some extra income in the door, you may want to consider starting a new business together. This unique professional route could allow you to spend more time with your spouse, and as a bonus, you may be able to beef up your new joint bank account!
In order to make your new business a success, though, you’ll need to hit on some effective marketing strategies. For instance, launching a professional website complete with eye-catching infographics can help draw in potential customers and boost overall brand awareness. If neither you nor your new spouse is a professional graphic designer, you can turn to a freelancer or independent firm to design the infographic. Alternatively, you may be able to save some money by using an infographic template that you can easily customize for your business’s website. After picking out your template, simply personalize it with your chosen design elements, such as a branded background, company colors, and catchy marketing text.
4. Start Making Long-Term Plans for Care, Update Your Wills, and Secure Necessary Insurance
Unfortunately, one of the less glamorous aspects of getting married as a senior is planning for long-term care for one or both spouses. You’ll want to get started early with:
- Purchasing life insurance
- Saving an emergency fund
- Establishing potential caregivers
- Updating wills as needed
5. Update Your Legal and Financial Records for Tax and Social Security Purposes
Lastly, marriage carries certain legal and tax implications, so make sure you’re on top of it to prevent problems. You’ll want to:
- Alert the social security office of any name changes
- Consider whether you’ll file taxes jointly
- Update any relevant legal records
Getting married later in life can bring countless blessings, but it can also come with a few complications. Thankfully, learning some basic tips can help you merge lifestyles successfully.
Check out Derek Goodman at inbizability.com.
Dr. Mara Karpel is a clinical psychologist, practicing for almost 30 years, radio show host, and author of the book, “The Passionate Life: Creating Vitality & Joy at Any Age,” now available on Audible.
