HALF your wardrobe is already in your partner’s closet, your leases are almost up, and you look at each other and think: Are we ready for this whole living together thing? Before you start picking out bedspreads, ask yourself and your partner these questions to determine if you’re ready.

    What is my gut telling me?

    You’re excited, you’re anxious, you’re a little bit all over the place. So it’s crucial to take a step back from the thrill of moving forward and do a gut check: Is this actually right for us right now? Why are you really doing it?

    Nervousness is normal, too, so know that your relationship doesn’t have to be perfect. Far more important is the feeling that you’re in it together. If you feel confident in that foundation and you feel like a team, give yourself the green light.

    Who’s paying for what?

    Okay, talking about finances is awkward and boring. But just get it done. Since you’re both coming from different backgrounds and expectations — and you’re about to combine expenses — having an in-depth money talk before the moving truck arrives can prevent cash-related conflicts down the line.

    Besides discussing the way you’ll divvy up rent, your security deposit, and utilities, consider these follow-up questions: Who will buy the groceries and household supplies? How will we divide the costs of furniture and home decor? If one partner makes significantly more money, will she be responsible for paying more? Sharing finances is hard, so working out a system you’re both comfortable with, whether it’s a joint account, or specific expenses assigned to each partner, can make it easier to deal with cash challenges as a duo.

    Will we still do our

    regular weekend date night?

    When you live together, you’ll automatically see each other all the time. Many newly cohabiting couples are surprised at how little quality time they spend together if they don’t make plans.

    Now, more than ever, you’ll need to create time to connect outside the home. Don’t be turned off to the idea of scheduling date nights. Finding time together — that doesn’t involve assembling Ikea furniture — will keep you close, connected, and anything but boring.

    Should both our names

    be on the lease?

    Figuring out the legalities of what might happen if your relationship doesn’t end in a happily-ever-after is depressingly prenup-ish. But even if you think it’ll never happen to you, the question about what to do if you break up is essential.

    Having both names on a lease means each person has equal rights to stay in the property — even in the event of a relationship breakup. One name means one party is responsible for paying the bills if his [or her] partner walks out. For couples that want to protect their assets in case of a breakup, a cohabitation agreement can help set forth understandings in “What if” scenarios.

    How will your sex life change?

    The good news: You’ll be sharing a bed every night! The bad news: You’ll be sharing a bed every single night — not just after date nights or on weekends, but also on nights when you’re dead tired, in a bad mood, or just not feeling it.

    Before the move, talk about how often you both expect to do it, plus how much private time you need in bed to read and relax without the assumption of sex.

    How do we feel about

    dirty dishes in the sink?

    Couples are happier when they share household responsibilities, according to a recent study in The Journal of Family Issues.

    Don’t be shy about discussing how you’ll divvy up tasks such as vacuuming, dinner planning, laundry, and dishes — whether you decide to each own certain ones, rotate tasks weekly, or do them together. Chores can always be negotiated as you go, but establishing some sense of who does what will keep you on the same page and can prevent resentments from surfacing if one of you feels like you’re doing more than your share.(SD-Agencies)