Pre-Marital Counseling – Experience Love Events

EXPERIENCE LOVE EVENTS

PRE-MARITAL COUNSELING IN FLORIDA

We are registered as premarital course providers for the County Clerk of Courts as Sheena Brown (Foccus, Inc., USA). We are registered with five counties in Florida :

Broward

Hillsborough

Lee

Miami Dade

Pasco

Due to COVID-19, we are now offering premarital counseling services online, & via phone. Here’s how the process works:

Individually fill out premarital counseling questionnaire (download attachment). There is no right or wrong answer, all answers should be based on how you personally interpret the questions. If any question is not applicable to your situation, simply write N/A.

Download Attachment

Fill Out Online

Email your answers, with a picture of your ID to sheena@ExperienceLoveEvents.com. The ID submitted should be the same as the one you will present at the Clerk of Courts. Remember to include a good day & time for our online or telephone session. Plan at least 40 minutes of uninterrupted time for our call. Many times, we are able to arrange a session on the same day as requested.

Remember: you cannot discuss or share your answers with each other until our phone session. We are a safe space – which means a judgment-free zone. Whatever is shared during our session is kept confidential.

Following our pre-marriage counseling session call, I will immediately forward you a certificate of completion. This certificate should be printed and taken with you to the Clerk of Courts (see courts that we are registered with).You will be given a discount for your marriage license, and they will also waive your 3 day wait period, so you can even get married on the same day, if that’s what you’ll like. If you need a marriage officiant, we can also officiate your ceremony. Marriage Officiant Services

Also read: Sheena Brown’s blogpost on the importance of Pre-Marital Counseling

Personal Details

RELATIONSHIP GOALS

These first questions may be the most important. If you don't know why you're getting married or have different views of where you'll be in a few decades, it could cause problems down the road.

Name two characteristics which you admire in your mate.

Name two characteristics or weaknesses which you least appreciate in your mate.

Give four reasons for wanting to marry your mate.

How long have you known each others? How long have you been engaged?

What are two activities (recreation, social, etc.) which you have in common?

MANAGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS

Everyone has expectations about their lives. Therefore, everyone has expectations about what they think they should contribute to a marriage and what their spouses should contribute. It is vitally important to talk about what is expected in your marriage. Here are some expectation questions:

Do you have trust issue or feel insecure?

What would you consider grounds for divorce?

For what reasons do you think the divorce rate continues to increase?

What is your opinion of household duties?

Who is to be the head of your home?

Should each of you be permitted one night a week for your own interests?

Do you think that certain dates (anniversary, birthdays, etc.) should be remembered by your mate?

CONFLICT AND COMMUNICATION

You've probably heard that communication is key to a good marriage, and it's true. Your life together will be filled with important decisions, trying times, and some conflict. It's a natural part of spending your life with another person. You can start it off right by talking about how you'll handle these situations when they come up:

Do we handle conflict well?

How are we different? Do you think our differences will create problems in our marriage?

Are you willing to face difficult areas (by communicating) or do you try to avoid conflict?

What is your plan for settling family problems?

Should your mate ever keep anything a secret from you? If so, what?

Do you think we have problems in our relationship that we need to deal with before the wedding?

Do you expect or want your partner to change?

Do you forgive easily?

BE ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT HOUSING

It may seem like knowing where to live is a “no-brainer” but it is still worth going over. Sometimes couples think they are on the same page about things then realize there may be some differences.

If you both have your own place, which one will you move to?

If you do not have your own place yet, are you wanting to rent or buy a house?

If one of you were offered a job in another state – how would that work?

CONSIDER SEX AND INTIMACY

Sex is such a large part of a marriage. Sex allows married couples to become deeply connected to one another. If you are not on the same page when it comes to sex, it may cause issues in the future

How often should we have sex?

Who should initiate?

Are you comfortable discussing your sexual likes and dislikes?

FAMILY

Every family is different, so understanding how your future spouse grew up and their relationship with parents and siblings today will be very helpful. After all, you're each marrying into a new family.

What was your your childhood like? Was your family affectionate?

What family values do you want to bring into our marriage?

What do you like and dislike about your family?

What do you like and dislike about your parents' marriage?

Are you well acquainted with your mate’s immediate family? Describe your relationship to them

Does your family approve completely of your choice of a mate?

Do you dislike any of your mate’s family or friends?

Has divorce occurred in your family?

GET SOME FACTS STRAIGHT ABOUT CHILDREN

Another huge topic to discuss is Children. I know that some people go into marriage with children already and some people do not. Either way, here are some questions to get some facts straight about children

Do you want to have children? If yes, How many?

How long should we be married before having children?

What are your beliefs about disciplining the children? Who is to exercise the discipline?

DISCUSS FAITH

If you and/or your spouse are people of faith, it should be discussed. Especially if you and your future spouse do not follow the same faith. Here are some starters to go over:

Does religion play an important part in your life?

If you do not follow the same faith, are you able to respect each other’s decisions in this area?

Will you teach your children your faith walk?

Will you attend church together?

DISCUSS YOUR FINANCES

Finance is probably one of the biggest issues in a marriage when both people are not in line with one another. To avoid a huge problem in your marriage, you and your spouse should discuss your past, present and future financial situations.

What are your financial goals?

Are you a saver or spender when it comes to money?

Will you have a joint checking account, separate accounts or both?

How often should a family eat out?

Do you consider going to the movies and having a vacation every year a necessity or a luxury?

Do you plan to buy or rent a dwelling?

Which of you is going to handle the money and payment of bills?

Have you planned any kind of a budget? Will? An insurance program?

If she does work and become pregnant, how will the family adjust to the lower income?

Do you bring debt into this marriage? If so, have you worked out a solution together?

DISCUSS YOUR FUTURE PLANS

We all have dreams. While two become one once you’re married, your dreams don’t just go away. You are still very much your own person as well as a half of a marriage. Because of this, it is great to discuss what you both envision for the future.

What are your goals or aims in life? Have you discussed these with your mate?