It is an age-old question many people ask themselves: would I be better off in the long run if I waited a few years to get married? According to a recent study on the topic, the answer may be "it depends." It depends on what an individual wants out of a marriage and who they are in terms of their age, gender, and education levels. Overall, couples tend to be happier in a marriage when they marry early, although couples make more money when they postpone marriage. When they are broken down, the conclusions are a bit more nuanced. Ultimately though, some couples, no matter their age or income levels, may still choose to file for divorce.

Income Effects

According to the article, deciding whether or not to marry at all may have an effect on an individual's income. Men report a 20 percent increase in earnings after marriage. Women, on the other hand, report no change or even a slight decline in earnings. When children come into the picture, there is a consistent financial penalty for married women who have children versus those who don't.

Illinois's Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act, which grants same-sex couples the right to legally marry, goes into effect for all counties on June 1, 2014. In preparation for this historic day, our family law attorneys would like to share some basic legal and financial measures that couples can take to prepare wisely for their marriages.

Obtain a Marriage License

Before getting married, Illinois couples must obtain a marriage license. Obtaining a license is a standard and fairly straightforward procedure. The marrying spouses must apply in person at a local county clerk's office with valid identification documents (such as a driver's license or passport) in hand. No blood tests are required, and both parties must be 18 years old or older at the time of application, or 16 or 17 years old with proof of parental consent of the marriage.