Why Getting Married Matters – Say No to Commitment Ceremonies
A commitment ceremony can be beautiful — the vows, the music, the celebration. But here’s the hard truth: without a marriage license, that ceremony gives you zero legal rights.
Our LGBTQ brothers and sisters learned this the hard way, long before marriage equality was the law. Many found out that without a marriage license, they had no property rights, no benefits rights, no hospital rights, and no inheritance rights without taxes — regardless of how many years they had been together.
And this isn’t just their story. Many heterosexual couples face the exact same problems when they choose not to marry. Love might be strong, but in the eyes of the law, no marriage means no rights.
Why Maryland Couples Should Make It Official
A marriage license isn’t just a piece of paper — it’s a safeguard. In Maryland, being legally married means:
- Your Home Is Secure – If your spouse passes away, Maryland law protects your right to stay in your shared home.
- No State Estate Tax Between Spouses – Anything left to a surviving spouse is exempt from Maryland’s estate tax.
- Medical Decision-Making Rights – You are automatically recognized as your spouse’s legal decision-maker if they can’t speak for themselves.
- Shared Property Protection – Marital property laws ensure assets you build together are protected.
Federal Benefits That Travel With You
Once you’re married, you also have access to important federal protections:
- Social Security survivor benefits
- Joint federal tax filing (which may mean significant savings)
- Immigration sponsorship for your spouse
- Military and veteran benefits
- Bankruptcy protection for jointly owned property
The Risk of Skipping the License
Without marriage, you could face:
- Losing the home you helped pay for
- Heavy taxes on property or money you inherit
- No right to make urgent medical decisions
- Family members legally claiming your partner’s assets
It doesn’t matter if you’ve been together 5 years or 50 — the law doesn’t protect you unless you’re married.
Love and Law Go Hand in Hand
At Startum, we celebrate weddings that honor love, culture, and tradition — from “jumping the broom” to deeply personal vows. But we also believe in protecting that love.
A commitment ceremony may feel the same in the moment, but it’s missing the most important thing — the legal power to protect the life you’ve built together.
💍 Bottom line: Have the celebration you’ve always dreamed of, but don’t walk away without a marriage license. Love deserves the legal protection that only marriage can give.