·    How long has it been since the bereavement? Has the widow or widower done the necessary grief work? Did the new relationship interrupt that work?

·    Are there children? Have they adequately mourned the death of the deceased parent?

·    What is the status of the prospective spouse? If widowed, the above questions also apply.

·    If the prospective spouse is divorced, is there a declaration of nullity?

·    If there are children, what are their attitudes? Has the divorced person taken time to mourn the loss of the marriage?

·    Will the new marriage require a geographical move? Have both partners considered the losses, physical, emotional, and spiritual, that moving will bring? Are both families prepared to accept those losses?

·    Do the prospective partners share the faith? If not, what issues will the difference raise?

·    Will one or both of the partners change employment because of the new marriage? Will there be a significant economic impact?

·    Are children from the new relationship a possibility? A probability? Are both partners open to having more children?

·    How will the couple handle discipline and decision-making for stepchildren and biological children?

·    How does the party who has not been married before feel about issues of child-rearing and support?

·    Was there substance abuse and/or domestic violence in either previous marriage?

·    What fears does each person have for his/her new life ahead?

Preparation

The procedure above states only a few of the concerns couples face when considering remarriage. These and many others make the need for attendance at specialized marriage preparation programs for remarriage essential. Use of a premarital inventory is highly recommended. The couple who has children should be recommended to the Marrying with Stepchildren program, which deals with step-family situations. However, the couple with children who resist the idea of remarriage for their parent might be well advised to consider family counseling involving all parties prior to remarriage. 

Not every problem that may surface during a remarriage can be foreseen. Remarriage has very different realities and adjustments than first-time marriages. However, that which can be foreseen should be addressed prior to rather than after remarriage. 

Paperwork

No paperwork is required for this situation.