Legal Question in Family Law in Maryland

Is there any Law to Help me in Marrying My fiancee.

This might appear silly to many, but its rather sad.

We been dating for the last 3 years in a committed relationship and we know each other for 4 years.

We both r from India and hail from the same part of India.

The only difference is Religion. And this has become the bone of contention for her parents and has rejected my proposal w/o even listening a word from me as an explanation.

Her parents are here and she lives with them.

Mine are in India and they have accepted her.

Now after this her movements r restricted and she is chaperoned whereever she goes.

I have a steady Job ( working same org for 5 years)

I am 30 and she is 23 .She studies in a prof program @ a university here. Her parents r thinking of stopping her studies and marrying her off to somebody in India.

She is already broken by this whole thing, and she still says she cant live without me.

What legal rights we have to marry and are her parents & brother breaking any MD Law?

Any Help is as priceless as life for me.


Asked on 12/20/02, 10:56 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
G. Joseph Holthaus III Law Offices of G. Joseph Holthaus

Re: Is there any Law to Help me in Marrying My fiancee.

I quote a Supreme Court case as follows: " Marriage is one of the 'basic civil rights of man' fundamental to our very existence and survival" Skinner v. Williamson, 316 US 535 (1942).

Maryland law requires (1) a ceremony of marriage that is (2) conducted by an individual who is authorized under law to perform the celebration. A license is required to give full legal effect to the marital union. Ceremonies may be performed by a county administrative judge or duly appointed religious officials. Maryland DOES NOT have common law marriage, so an official proceeding IS required.

G. Joseph Holthaus III, Esq.

(410) 799-9002

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Answered on 12/22/02, 10:02 pm
Robert Sher Wagshal and Sher

Re: Is there any Law to Help me in Marrying My fiancee.

You are both legally adults and can get married any time you want to. There is nothing legally her parents can do to stop you. It appears that your fiancee is cowered by her duty to her parents and perhaps to the customs of your native land.

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Answered on 12/20/02, 2:47 pm


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