4 Important Estate Planning Moves For Couples Getting Married This Summer

June is finally here; warm days, long evenings, perfect for the beach and picnics! June also brings the sound of wedding bells. Whether you’ve been dreaming of this day for years or your beautiful “yes” led to a whirlwind of planning, getting married is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Marriage is more than just a ceremony; it’s two separate lives, histories, and futures weaving together into one beautiful new story.

Wedding season is a season of joy, but also a major milestone that asks you to look ahead. When I talk about estate planning in the context of marriage, it isn’t just about paperwork or taxes. It’s an act of protection for the person you love most. It’s about making sure that as your legal and financial lives merge, you have a safety net that reflects your new reality from day one.

Think of your estate plan as a love letter to your future selves. You’re merging your households, your dreams, and your legal identities. Your plan should be right there with you, keeping pace.

As you begin this new chapter, there are several practical shifts to consider: from the names you carry and the homes you build to the way you manage your shared financial future.

Should I Change My Name When I Get Married?

Traditionally, one partner (most often a woman) adopts the other’s surname. That’s still the most common path, but modern couples are exploring all sorts of variations. Hyphenated names. Both partners adopting both names. Creating an entirely new surname together. There’s no wrong answer, as long as it feels right for you both.

From a legal perspective, though, consistency is your best friend. Once you decide, make sure your bank accounts, insurance policies, and even your passport are all in sync. Mismatched names might seem like a small detail, but they can create real headaches when you need things to move smoothly during a life transition.

Of course, you can take the easy route, and leave your name as-is! If you decide to make the change, build in extra time to update every official record you have. Every. Single. One.

Where Are You Going To Live?

Whether you are moving into your partner’s home or picking out a new place together, your “home base” is usually your most significant asset. It’s where your life happens, and it deserves to be protected.

Whether you are purchasing a home together, or if you’re moving into a house your spouse already owns, we should chat about how that property is titled. In Rhode Island, how you hold a title can change everything for your partner if the unexpected happens.

Or, perhaps you and your partner maintain separate residences. This is not uncommon, especially amongst those who are in their second (or third) marriages. If this pertains to you, consider there may be tax implications.

Should You Consider A Prenuptial Agreement?

I know, the word “prenup” is less than romantic. But a prenuptial agreement isn’t a sign of distrust. It’s a sign of maturity, clarity, and genuine care for each other’s future.

If you’re bringing a business you’ve built, a family home, or retirement savings into the marriage, a prenup simply creates a clear map of what is yours, theirs, and yours together. This is especially vital for those of you entering second or third marriages where you may want to protect an inheritance for your children. It removes the “what-ifs” so you can focus on the “I dos.”

Starting from scratch with very few assets? A prenup may be less critical, but these days, that scenario is rarer than people assume. And for anyone entering a second or third marriage, a prenuptial agreement makes an abundance of sense.

Should We Have Joint Back Accounts, Or Separate Bank Accounts (why not both?)

It is my opinion that everyone should maintain their own individual bank account, even after marriage. A joint account is wonderful for shared household expenses, such as the mortgage, groceries, utilities, vacations. It simplifies shared life and creates financial partnership.

But maintaining a personal account isn’t about keeping secrets; it’s about healthy independence. It’s the “freedom fund” for a surprise anniversary gift or a personal goal. In my experience, relationships are strongest when both partners feel empowered as individuals while standing together as a team.

From an estate planning perspective, how your accounts are titled and who is listed as beneficiary matters enormously. Beneficiary designations can actually override what your will or trust says, so now is exactly the right time to review and update all of them.

Every ending is a new beginning

Life changes — your estate plan should too

Marriage is just one of life’s many turning points that signals it’s time to revisit your estate plan. The truth is, every major life change closes one chapter and opens another, and each new chapter deserves a plan that reflects it.

Whether you’re stepping into something joyful or navigating something difficult, the right planning protects you, the people you love, and everything you’ve worked to build.  An experienced estate planning attorney in Rhode Island can help.  Click below to schedule a call with my office.