by Theresa McArthur – Photo Credit by Pexels
Getting married later in life has benefits. Chances are you’ve been married before. You’ve learned from mistakes and have also grown more tolerant and compatible. Still, getting married as seniors is pretty rare and it comes with unique considerations, like the need to plan for long-term care. Here’s a practical guide for seniors getting married, to help you start a harmonious life together.
Celebrate Love
You found love again, late in life, and there are a lot of people who’ll want to know. Invite old friends and send out announcements on social media. Loose acquaintances and good friends alike will want to hear your story. Find high school alumni, and reconnect for the big day. Sharing your news with friends far and wide can be surprisingly satisfying and meaningful; look forward to lots of warm wishes – and warm fuzzies – as a result.
Move in to a new home
When you get married, you’ll want to move in together. Getting a new house you can share allows you to build a home jointly, instead of having one person move into the other’s private space. When searching for a property, research prices in different neighborhoods to see what you can afford. In the Denver Metro area, contact The Mama Bear Team for experienced realtors you can trust.
If the move-in includes downsizing, you may find your belongings don’t blend or fit as well as you thought they would. Will the overstuffed, super comfy couch still work in your new space? And what about that family-sized dining table? If you want to live in your new space for a bit before you decide what to get rid of, you might want to rent storage space for all the keepsakes and nicknacks of your former lives. You can find Denver storage options for cheap rental units of various sizes and in a location that is convenient for you and your new life partner. Once you make up your mind about the items, you can always have a yard sale or sell stuff online.
Take care of the paperwork
Getting married is romantic at any age. However, it also requires some administrative paperwork. This is especially true for couples tying the knot later in life. For example, you need to research how getting married will impact your social security benefits. Additionally, you have to decide whether you and your new spouse will file taxes jointly or separately.
Consider health insurance options
Health care is also a major issue, especially for older couples that are at a higher risk of serious health problems. If you and your spouse are already eligible for Medicare, find out how getting married may impact your coverage. If you have additional health insurance, you also want to find out if it’s advisable to combine plans or not. For instance, if one of you has more comprehensive coverage, it may make sense to loop the other one into that plan.
Be upfront about finances
If you do combine your money, take an organized approach. You need to start by creating a list of all your financial assets and then figuring out how to best consolidate them. Creating a budget together can also help ensure expectations are aligned in terms of spending.
Talk about long-term care
Long-term care refers to the kind of personal and healthcare support you or your spouse may need if you become ill or frail when you get older. For example, you might hire a home care assistant to help with tasks like housekeeping and cooking. Alternatively, if more serious medical support is needed, you might move to a nursing home. Getting on the same page about long-term care now can save you stress later. You can also decide how you’ll pay for it.
Update estate planning
Estate planning is another pesky admin step newly married couples have to go through. This allows you to determine what happens to your assets when you pass on, for example with the creation of a will or trust.
Real estate professionals who specialize in the probate process like The Mama Bear Team can help you understand the ins-and-outs of inheritance law.
Schedule date nights
A healthy marriage is about more than ticking the administrative boxes described above. You want to make the most of your time together with your new spouse in your golden years. One way to do this is by setting up a regular date night. This is an opportunity to spend quality time together and bond, solidifying your relationship. Havenwood Heritage Heights offers a roundup of date night ideas, like going for a picnic, cooking together, or meeting for tea.
If you find love later in life, you’re very blessed. Make the most of it by solidifying your romantic relationship with a wedding. The above guide provides some pointers to help get your marriage off on the right foot.
If you’re buying or selling in the Denver Metro area, The Mama Bear Team provides experience, knowledge, and integrity. Contact them today!
