While some people see marriage as just a piece of paper, it can really change your life. It means that you are going to be sharing your life, rather than simply doing the things that you want. However, there are a few ways that you can prepare for married life, which will help make the transition from an engaged couple to a married one so much easier.
1. Go to premarital counseling
If you want to start your marriage on the right foot and ensure you’re making the best decision by walking down the aisle, then consider going to premarital counseling. While you may think you know each other well and are prepared for your future, there are lots of things that couples don’t talk about before they get married, and then find they have to confront these issues years down the line. A couple of sessions of premarital counseling could pay off in the long term.
2. Protect yourself legally
People are getting married later in life, on average, couples in the USA marry in their late twenties, by which point they may already have savings, homes, and children. You may wish to make an appointment with Charleston Law to discuss making a pre-nuptial agreement, as this can help if you ever go through divorce proceedings. Prenups are recognized in USA law, although not always enforced to the letter but they can offer you some protection if things go wrong.
3. Live together
Unless it’s completely impractical or against your religious beliefs, you should try to live together first. Half of couples who live together don’t get married, which you could definitely see as a good thing, as they don’t have the hassle of a messy divorce on top of a break-up. While some statistics suggest that couples who live together before marriage are more likely to divorce, there’s a lot to be said for co-habiting before the wedding. It means you can ease into being part of a committed couple and decide whether it’s the right lifestyle for you, and people tend to let their guard down when they live together, so you get to know your partner more intimately.
4. Talk about the big things
From children to money, retirement plans and where you see yourself in five years, it’s important you know you’re on the same page when it comes to life’s big plans. For example, if you’re planning a change of career or would like to work overseas, will your future spouse be on board with this? If you decide to have children, how will you raise them and will one of you become a stay at home parent? These are things that couples often wait to discuss until the last minute, but they’re all important stages of life.
Nearly half of marriages end in divorce, and while you can’t guarantee you won’t be part of this statistic, by spending some time thinking about what you want and preparing for married life, you have a better chance of a happy life together.
