What’s yours is mine baby. This includes your debt. People usually use the phrase “what’s yours is mine” as their reasoning for feeling privileged enough to partake in the riches that their significant other has achieved. Rarely is this phrase so proudly used in the matter of debts, loans and tax liens. In some cases, legally you do take on your spouses debts.

According to the NY Post, page six, Swizz Beatz has again been hit by the tax man. According to public records, the husband of Alicia Keys — who’s pregnant with Beatz’s child — was slapped with an IRS lien of $652,787 on June 3 for unpaid 2008 income tax. The music producer, real name Kasseem Dean, has had a string of liens filed against him and his former wife, Mashonda, in New York, Georgia and California. Their debts stand at about $2.2 million. A lawyer for Beatz said, “We have been discussing the issue with the government for years and are currently negotiating an amicable resolution of the dispute.”

What’s yours is mine baby? For some no. Immediately after this article a few cynical commenter’s referred to his debt and other money woes with his ex-wife as being the reason why Swizz impregnated Alicia so quickly. He wants to marry her purse. I disagree and do believe that he cares for Alicia and her finances are not his reason for being with her but I can also see why someone’s mind would go there. Here is why….

In marriage you are supposed to be one. Once you enter that state of holy matrimony you become a team, and the “I’s” and “me’s” are supposed to transform into “us” and “we”. Does this union also include your partner’s debts? Does this mean that Alicia should also be responsible for Swizz’s debt? Since they are on the verge of marriage it will become hers as well soon after right? In a short word- Yes.

Once you enter marriage, a lot of the riches and successes that your partner obtains usually become yours to be lavished with as well. Therefore, his/her debts should also become your responsibility in part at most. His debts become hers in the same way that hers would be his. The same logic should apply for any couple for that matter. Team effort suggests that you tackle life as a team and not as individuals. The highs of life and the lows. This is the benefit of having a life partner. You have someone to celebrate your highs with and someone to tackle your lows with. Many couples handle major life decisions and changes together because that one decision usually affects both parties.

Marriage is not a commitment that you can have one foot in and one foot out of. It is something that should be taken more seriously than shows like “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette” demonstrates. If you decide to enter marriage then in the same manner you would take on the good and the bad of your spouse’s personality, is the same way that you should be willing to assist them in their debts. If this is a responsibility that is too heavy for you then perhaps you should reconsider marriage at all.

Do your debts become “our” debts in marriage just as your money becomes “our” money? Should they be handled on an individual basis? Should spouses only be responsible for debt that they make together once the marriage begins? Can a partner become a liability?

Via: Black America Web