Covid-19 is disrupting lives in myriad ways. Countless lives have been lost, businesses shuttered, and educational futures are thrown into turmoil. One disruption that hasn’t generated much media coverage, however, involves the dreams of young couples in love. We refer to the thousands of marriages postponed due to the pandemic. Nationally, this is no tragedy when compared to the many other consequences provoked by the virus, but for those who have spent months—even years—dreaming up their special day, indefinite postponement is heartbreaking.
We won’t go so far as to claim you can recoup some of the joy by attending to those tasks which remain accessible—namely those of legal nature. Paperwork, after all, is never fun. That said, by signing off on essential documents now, you can relieve some of the stress of the event in the future, thereby making more space for joy when the day finally comes. And regardless, even if you can’t tie the knot right now, you still need to prepare to spend the rest of your lives together… which does, unfortunately, mean organizing your affairs.
The Essential Documents All (To-Be) Newly-Weds Need
Advance Directives
Everyone over the age of 18 ought to have advance directives in place. If you’re among the few who have heeded this advice, great! Now’s the time for an update! If you’re not, now’s the time to correct course. After all, the bond of marriage implies sharing financial and lifestyle goals, and this means your (to-be) spouse ought to be the person entrusted with making decisions related to these topics should you, yourself, become unable. Implement medical and financial power of attorney documents now and give yourself the gift of one less thing to worry about the day you finally walk the aisle.
A Last Will and Testament
No one wants to think about unthinkable tragedy in the afterglow of their wedding; by attending the essential task of drafting a last will and testament now, you won’t have to. As you set out to build a life with your partner, you need to consider how your assets should be distributed in the case that your time comes too soon. For some, it may seem that all you own is insignificant at this early stage in life. Even if true (which is doubtful), that is bound to change. Implementing a will now means you are that much more likely to include significant assets in your budding estate plan when they arrive. What’s more, money is not all that matters. Surely, you own items of great sentimental value and surely you would like some of these to pass to the love of your life when you’re gone.
Estate Planning Attorney Offices Remain Open
Despite the pandemic, legal services remain available as an essential service. As of June 2020, at least 44 US states have allowed some form of remote witnessing and/or notarization, meaning that instituting advance directives and a last will and testament has never been easier. You don’t even need to come into the office!
Act now and ensure your wedding and the period afterward is full of the only thing it should be: love. By attending to the finicky legal tasks required of committing to a life partner ahead of time, you’ll need only think of them when the big day comes. Now that is something to look forward to!
Contact Attorney James M. Miskell
Recent Comments