Married couples accumulate all kinds of assets during their time together. Items large and small make their way into their lives, and sentimentality takes hold, establishing a strong attachment. Divorces require couples to divide their assets, creating the potential for conflict to arise. An asset division that many don’t consider is season passes. Season tickets are used in every major sporting event in the United States, including football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer. Fortunately, dividing this asset can be a simple proposition.
Divorcees can split the tickets, buy out the other party, or sell them. Each option provides a viable route, but it is imperative to communicate with your spouse to establish what choice works best. Questions to consider include who uses the tickets most often; who lives closest to the venue; is the sporting event something either party wants to attend moving forward; and what is the financial cost of the season tickets? It would be wise to make this decision privately, as leaving the decision in the court’s hands may leave both parties feeling dissatisfied.
Splitting the Tickets
Splitting the tickets is the more equitable choice, with both parties getting access to tickets and a guaranteed seat. However, there are other options to consider. For example, a season could be split in half, with one person attending the first half of the season and the second attending the latter half. Or tickets could be split on a season-by-season basis. Additionally, if one party wants to avoid having a seat next to their ex-spouse, contacting the ticket office to request changing to another seat is an available option.
Buying the Tickets
If only one spouse is interested in the sporting event associated with the season tickets, then buying the tickets from the other person may be a suitable option. Proper compensation for the other party must be addressed when purchasing the other party’s half of the tickets.
Selling the Tickets
If neither party wants the tickets, then selling them and splitting the proceeds is the best option. The financial gain from selling this asset would likely mix into the larger pool of assets, such as bank accounts. However, clear communication is vital when an asset is sold. One party cannot decide to sell the asset, while the other prefers to keep it. Being on the same page is difficult when navigating divorce proceedings, but selling an asset without your spouse’s knowledge or approval can lead to additional conflict.
Navigating a divorce is tricky and stressful. However, it is important to know that there are always options when it comes to dividing assets like season tickets. Engaging in conversations with your partner and working with your lawyer to help facilitate these discussions can lead to productive and amicable decision-making.
Rebecca L. Palmer, Esq. is a Family & Marital Law attorney practicing in Florida. She is the Managing Partner of the Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group, and she can be reached at rebecca@rlplawgroup.com.
