Sorting out how you and your betrothed will handle money in the future is an important part of planning your life together. This includes credit cards.

A few basic steps can help avoid issues in the future:

1. Be open about your past and current credit situations. Take a common inventory of all your credit cards and how much each of you owes on them (if anything).

2. Each of you should get copies of your credit reports. Go through them together so you have a shared understanding of your individual behavior patterns and obligations. This step give you a chance to make sure the reports are accurate, and you'll know right away if there are any serious credit problems.

3. If one or both of you have a problem with debt, start addressing the problem right away. If there is actual delinquency involved, try to work with your creditors or consider calling Credit Counseling Services. There are regional offices all over the country and it's either free or at very low cost to you.

4. Think carefully about joint versus individual cards. Many couples each keep a card of their own and then one joint card for shared expenses. By keeping individual cards, you will each continue to have your own credit rating. A joint card, on the other hand allows you to begin the process of sharing your purchasing decisions.

5. If you legally change your name, call your credit card issuer and ask to change the name on your account. The name on it should match with the name on your license, passport and other official identification right down to the middle initial.