For many couples, a country club membership is more than just a recreational expense. It represents social connections, family traditions and professional networking opportunities. During a divorce, addressing who keeps the membership, how its value is divided or whether it should be retained at all can become a surprisingly complex part of property division negotiations.
In most divorces, country club memberships are treated as marital property if acquired during the marriage. Even if the membership is in one spouse’s name, it is often considered an asset that both spouses have benefited from, making it subject to equitable distribution. The first step is determining whether the membership and its benefits have a transferable market value. Some memberships can be sold or transferred to another party, while others are non-transferable and revert back to the club upon termination without reimbursement.
If the membership is marital property and has value
If the membership has value, spouses may choose to offset it by awarding the membership to one spouse while granting the other additional marital assets of similar worth. For example, if the membership is valued at $25,000, the spouse who keeps it might receive less from a joint investment account to balance the division. In cases where the membership cannot be transferred or sold, the spouse who wishes to retain it will usually be responsible for any ongoing dues, fees and future assessments associated with it.
Another option is for both spouses to agree to terminate the membership and divide any refundable equity or initiation fee. Some country clubs refund a portion of the initial membership fee upon resignation, depending on the club’s rules and current waitlists. Reviewing the membership agreement carefully is essential to understand these policies and ensure accurate valuation in divorce negotiations.
For families with children, country club memberships may also play a role in parenting time and activities. If the children are accustomed to attending club events, swimming or golfing with both parents, some families choose to retain dual memberships if financially feasible. Others include provisions allowing the non-member parent to accompany children to the club on their scheduled parenting days to maintain continuity in the children’s routines.
At the end of the day, working with a skilled legal team is wise when dividing country club memberships. Country club memberships are unique assets that deserve thoughtful attention during property division to ensure fairness and to avoid unexpected financial burdens after a divorce is finalized.
