Wills and Estate Plans for Newlyweds

An estate plan is a short set of documents that says who receives what you own, who looks after your children, and who makes money and medical decisions for you if you can't. Ours gives each person a will, a healthcare directive, a financial power of attorney (not in California or Georgia), a HIPAA authorization and a beneficiary update checklist.

Why it matters: without these documents, state law and the courts make those choices for you.

If you want your wishes to count, yes. Marriage can change or cancel parts of an existing will under state law, and your spouse is not automatically your only heir. A will names who inherits, an executor to settle things and a guardian for any children. Life insurance and retirement accounts follow their own beneficiary forms, so update those too.

Why it matters: marriage changes who inherits from you, so a will written before the wedding may no longer say what you want.

Without a will, your state's law decides who inherits, and a court chooses who raises your children. Without a power of attorney or a healthcare directive, your family may have to go to court for the right to pay your bills or speak for you in the hospital. And being married doesn't, on its own, let your spouse run accounts that are only in your name.

Why it matters: a few signed pages keep those decisions with the people you chose.

Each person gets a Last Will and Testament, an Advance Healthcare Directive (your healthcare agent plus your living will wishes), a Financial Power of Attorney (not in California or Georgia), a HIPAA authorization, a beneficiary update checklist and signing instructions for their state. The Newlywed plan gives each of you your own full set.

Your will says who receives what you own, names an executor (the person who settles your estate) and a backup, and names a guardian for any children under 18. Ours also lets you leave up to three specific gifts, like a ring or a car, and has a custodian manage any inheritance for a young beneficiary until they reach the age your state sets (21 in most states). It lists your former names as "also known as" and cancels any earlier will.

It names your healthcare agent, the person who makes medical decisions for you if you can't, plus a backup. It also records your living will wishes: end of life care, tube feeding, pain relief and organ donation. Where your state publishes its own directive form, we use it.

It names a financial agent who can pay your bills, manage your accounts and handle your property if you can't, plus a backup. You choose whether it works right away or only if you become unable to act (Florida documents always work right away). California and Georgia plans don't include it.

It's a short form that lets the people you name see your medical information. Privacy rules can stop a hospital from sharing details, even with family. With this form in place, your spouse and your healthcare agent can get the facts they need to help you. It comes with every plan at no extra cost.

No. Life insurance, retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA, and payable on death bank accounts go to whoever is named on that account's beneficiary form, whatever your will says. Your beneficiary update checklist walks you through which accounts to check and how to update them.

Why it matters: an old beneficiary form can send money to the wrong person, even with a brand new will.

If you're married, own anything, or have children or plans for them, yes. The healthcare directive and power of attorney matter most while you're alive, and accidents don't check your age. It takes about 20 minutes, and it's far easier to do now, while life is calm.

About 20 minutes to answer the questions online. Your PDFs arrive by email within 2 business days after you finish, and a printed set follows by mail. Then you sign with your witnesses.

You're already updating your name, your accounts and your beneficiaries after the wedding. Adding your wills to that list means one round of paperwork instead of two, and you're both protected from the start.

The Personal Will & Estate Plan ($129) is one complete plan for one person. The Newlywed Will & Estate Plan ($179) is a complete plan for each spouse, $79 less than two Personal plans. The Name Change Kit + Newlywed Will bundle ($219) adds our Name Change Kit for the partner changing their name, and saves you $59.

Yes. A will only covers the person who signs it, and a power of attorney or healthcare agent only acts for the person who named them. The Newlywed plan gives each of you a full set, and each of you signs your own.

Yes. Buy now and fill in the questions after the wedding. The Newlywed plan and the bundle are for married couples, so the questions ask you to confirm you're legally married before you start. If you're not planning to marry, each of you needs a Personal plan.

Your documents are prepared from your answers and built from your state's law. A will takes effect once it's signed the way your state requires, and your signing instructions spell that out: who must witness each document, and when you need a notary. NameChange.com is not a law firm and can't promise how a court, bank or hospital will treat a document. If your situation is complex, talk to an estate planning lawyer.

Use the printed set we mail you, or print the PDF, then sign in front of two adult witnesses who are not named in your will; your signing instructions follow your state's rules. In many states a notary can also sign a short statement (a self proving affidavit) so your witnesses won't need to be found later. Your instructions say exactly what each document needs in your state.

48 states and D.C. Our estate plans are not available in Louisiana or North Carolina. California and Georgia plans include the will, healthcare directive, HIPAA authorization and checklist, but not the financial power of attorney. Your documents follow the law of the state you live in now.

No. One payment, no subscription, no renewal.

Not for a straightforward plan: you can answer our questions online and sign without one. See an estate planning lawyer instead if you own a business or property outside the U.S., want a trust, want to leave out a spouse or child, have a family member with special needs on government benefits, expect someone to challenge your will, or your estate may owe estate tax.

NameChange.com is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. We built our templates from each state's statutes and official forms, and our software fills them in from your answers, word for word. No lawyer writes or reviews your finished documents, and that's exactly why we tell you plainly when a lawyer is the better choice.

A name change on its own doesn't cancel a will. But a will in an old name can slow things down for your family, especially if an account or property is still in that name. Our will lists your former name as "also known as", so both names point to you.

You don't have to. Use the name on your ID today and add your other names in the questions, and your will lists them as "also known as". If your new ID arrives within 60 days of your documents, we'll send a corrected set in your new name at no charge.

Your PDFs arrive by email within 2 business days after you finish the questions, and a printed set comes by mail. With a Personal or Newlywed plan, standard shipping is charged at checkout. With the bundle, the printed set comes in your kit box, or by mail if your kit has already shipped. For 60 days after delivery you can change your answers and we'll send a corrected set at no charge. After that, changes need a new plan.

Email support@namechange.com within 60 days of purchase and we'll refund your plan in full, for any reason. This promise is about your satisfaction, not about how any court, bank or hospital treats your documents.

We use your answers only to prepare your documents and to help you afterward. We never ask for your Social Security number, account numbers or passwords. We keep your answers and documents for 12 months so we can resend or correct them, then delete them, so keep your own copies.

Yes. Our estate plan gift cards come in two kinds: the Newlywed Will & Estate Plan ($179) or the Name Change Kit + Newlywed Will ($219). The couple answers the questions themselves, so you never need their private details, and the gift card never expires.

Your kit is customized based on your details and includes everything you need to update your name easily. Inside, you'll find step-by-step instructions and pre-filled applications for:

• Social Security
• U.S. Passport
• Driver’s License or REAL ID
• Vehicle Title & Registration
• Voter Registration

Plus, personal accounts

Everything is organized to make the process as smooth as possible.

NameChange helps simplify the process for those updating their name after marriage, divorce, or with a court-ordered name change.

While we don’t handle the legal process of obtaining a court order, our kits are built for people who already have their official name change document, whether it's a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.

We only request essential information needed to complete your forms, such as your name, date of birth, address, height, and hair color. Rest assured.

we never collect sensitive personal data like your Social Security number, passport number, driver’s license number, or bank account details.

step 1: Choose the name change kit that best suits your needs: either the Name Change kit or the Print-at-Home option.

Step 2: Fill out a simple form with your basic personal details and select the accounts you’d like to update (banks, credit cards, loyalty programs, etc.). We never ask for sensitive information like your Social Security number, passport number, or account numbers.

Step 3: Our software generates a personalized name change kit based on your information and selected accounts.

Step 4: You'll receive your kit by mail or as a downloadable PDF. It includes the forms you need (Social Security, passport, driver’s license, voter registration, and more), plus step-by-step instructions to walk you through each one.

Step 5: Sign, date, and submit your forms. With our detailed instructions, you’ll be able to complete your name change with confidence.

• Name Change Kit (Physical Kit): We process your order within 1 business day, and shipping typically takes 3 to 5 business days.
• Print-at-Home Kit (PDF File): You'll receive your digital name change kit by email within 24 hours of purchase.

We offer both digital and physical packages. The digital package provides everything you need online and is available to download and self-print.

The physical package also gives you online access but includes a mailed kit with all necessary documents and pre-paid shipping materials for you to submit the different government forms. Our platform will generate a Name Change Kit tailored to your situation, ensuring you get precisely what you need.

Absolutely! NameChange supports name changes in every U.S. state. No matter where you live, our kit includes the right forms and instructions tailored to your state’s requirements.

We complete your applications for:

• Social Security
• Passport
• Voter Registration
  
  You’ll also receive the required state-specific forms (driver’s license, vehicle title, vehicle registration) and detailed instructions.

Absolutely! Name Change supports name changes for same-sex marriages. As long as you have a certified marriage certificate or a court order approving your name change, you're good to go. Just be sure to follow the name change laws specific to your state.

No need to worry: you can begin the name change process now, even if you have upcoming travel plans. NameChange will walk you through it step by step.

• You can go ahead and update your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and your DMV, but hold off on updating your passport until after you return. Your passport must match the name on your travel booking. Don’t worry: your current passport (in your old/maiden name) stays valid until it expires.
  
• You can start with the SSA, but wait until after your trip to update your passport or REAL ID driver’s license. Again, the name on your ID must match your flight reservation. Your current ID remains valid during this time.
  

With your NameChange kit, you’ll know exactly what to do and when, without risking any travel disruptions.

Yes! If you’ve recently relocated, whether within the same state or to a different one, our name change kit covers both your name and address updates. There’s no need to update your name in your previous state first. You can get a driver’s license in your new name by submitting your current license (even if it’s still in your old name) along with your legal name change document. We’ll guide you through every step based on your new location.

Your legal name change document, whether it’s a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, doesn’t expire. Even if it’s been months or years since your marriage or divorce, you can still update your name. NameChange makes the process straightforward whenever you’re ready.

To change your first name, you must file a name change petition with your local city or county courthouse. Once a judge approves your request, you’ll receive a court order authorizing the change. With that court order in hand, you can then use NameChange to update your name on all your government IDs, records, and personal accounts.