One of the most common financial behaviors among married couples I hear from my clients is the "Just sign here" syndrome.
Whether it's your tax return; business partnership documents; mortgage (re-) financing papers, etc., signing a document without reading it or at least attempting to know what's in it, puts you in a legally binding position. Your signature on a document is not a trifle. Of course, this holds true in any circumstances where you are asked to sign a document or contract - and not just with your spouse.
Even if the document is 10 pages long, you should take as much time as you need - and without being pressured - to read it.
How to read something that seems like a lot of legalese and mumbo jumbo?
- Learn to read the titles and section headings first. It gives you a starting point. From there you will find it easier to look at the rest of the information below the titles and/or section headings. You may not read every word but at least you will know something about what you may be 'binding' yourself to.
- If it's a tax return, ask your spouse to go over the results with you. Starting with the Big Picture (a general overview) and then drilling down to the details after that is always the best approach.

So the next time you see one of those little yellow flag stickies attached to a document that say: "Just sign here" remember that you too can read what it is you're committing to. It's a right and a responsibility that you want to get in the habit of exercising!