Maryland Family Law

Married at the Tax Court

A bill is currently pending in the Maryland House of Delegates which would empower judges on the U.S. Tax Court to perform weddings.  See the article on the Daily Record blog.  To me, this begs the question:  who would want to be married at the Tax Court?  When I'm at the courthouse, I often see couples (sometimes with full bridal parties and a throng of relatives) waiting for the ceremony.  Is there a shortage of judges and clerks who can perform marriages? 

Fiances and Finances

Before marriage, couples need to discuss their finances and be prepared to be honest about money, according to this article in Newsweek.  It should come as no surprise, money is one of the biggest stressors in a relationship.   Some topics you may want to discuss include:  how much debt you have, what retirement assets you have, and whether you are more of a "saver" or a "spender."  It's also important to talk about your goals, such as buying a house, paying off debt, starting a business, earning a degree or starting a new career.  If you have substantial assets or children from a prior marriage, you may want to consider having a pre-nuptial agreement.  If you and the one you love don't see eye to eye on these issues, don't despair.  You could agree to each have your own discretionary funds, keep assets solely titled, or find other compromises.  The important thing is to not let financial issues take you by surprise!