17.You might need to wait a certain period before remarriage
Before heading for the City Hall, make sure you know all the legal aspects regarding a second marriage. That’s because in certain states residency rules might require a waiting period for remarriage. For instance, in Massachusetts, couples have to wait up to 120 days after getting divorced before tying the know again.
Check the Social Security Administration to find out the rules in your state and avoid an unpleasant surprise.
18.You’ll probably discuss any name changes from the very beginning
In many cases, people keep the name of their former spouse even if they got divorced, mostly to avoid the red tape involved in changing their license, Social Security card, passport, bank accounts and the like. If you’re planning to remarry, you need to discuss the name change issue with your future spouse to avoid unnecessary arguments or unpleasant situations down the road.
What’s in a name, some may ask, Well, a lot. For example, if you have established a name for yourself in a certain domain, changing it could affect your career, so keeping your former spouse’s name would be the safest option. There are lots of reasons to keep or change your name but one thing is for sure: you need to have an open conversation with your partner and decide what’s the best course of action.
19.You’ll make greater efforts
After their first attempt at marriage failed, people are more inclined to make greater efforts to preserve their second marriage. After all, who wants to fail at marriage twice? According to Linda Charnes, a licensed marriage and family therapist, living and working in New York, people are older and wiser and think past their honeymoon. They know challenges and arguments may come up along the way but they are willing to do whatever it takes to make things work. They know that the effort that goes into fixing things and showing their spouse they care is well worth it in the end.
20.You shouldn’t rush into things
It can take a lot of time to heal after a failed marriage and a bad divorce. But once you’ve healed and moved on with someone new, it doesn’t mean you should rush things. You don’t have to remarry again in order to be happy. Happiness is not given by a piece of paper. If you love your current partner and have a healthy, functional relationship, you can keep things as they are for a while and tie the knot only when you are sure it’s what both of you want. If you are curious to find out where you stand, check out these 10 Signs Your Relationship Is Solid as a Rock.
