For a lot of newlyweds, creating a will feels like something that belongs decades down the road—something for people with kids, property, or significant assets. But marriage changes your legal situation in ways that make estate planning more relevant than most couples realize.
You don't need to have everything figured out. You just need a starting point. And if you want one place to store your estate planning documents alongside your other important marriage paperwork, The Vow Vault was built for exactly that.
Why Marriage Makes a Will More Important
When you get married, your legal and financial life becomes intertwined with your spouse's. Without a will, state law—not your wishes—determines what happens to your assets if something unexpected occurs. Depending on where you live, that may not align with what either of you would want.
A will gives you control. It lets you specify who receives your assets, who manages your estate, and—if you have or plan to have children—who would care for them.
What a Basic Will Should Cover
- Asset distribution — Who inherits your property, savings, and personal belongings
- Executor — The person responsible for carrying out your wishes
- Guardian designation — If you have children, who would care for them
- Specific bequests — Any particular items or amounts you want to leave to specific people
Beyond a Will: Other Documents to Consider
A complete estate plan typically includes more than just a will. As newlyweds, it's worth knowing these documents exist and considering whether you need them now:
- Power of attorney — Authorizes your spouse (or someone else) to make financial decisions on your behalf if you're unable to
- Healthcare proxy / medical directive — Specifies your medical wishes and designates someone to make healthcare decisions for you
- Living will — Documents your preferences for end-of-life medical care
Don't Forget Beneficiary Designations
A will doesn't control everything. Retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and some bank accounts pass directly to whoever is named as beneficiary—regardless of what your will says. Make sure those designations are updated to reflect your marriage.
How to Get Started
You don't need an attorney to create a basic will, though one is recommended for more complex situations. Online legal services can help you create a simple will quickly and affordably. Whatever route you choose, the most important step is simply starting.
Keep Your Documents Organized and Accessible
Once you've created a will and any related documents, store them somewhere both spouses can access. Let your executor know where to find them.
The Vow Vault includes a dedicated section for estate planning documents, so your will, powers of attorney, and medical directives are always organized and easy to locate when it matters most. Shop The Vow Vault →
