Divorce is personal. There’s no telling what spouses might find important, particularly when it comes to dividing property and assets. Property division is one area of divorce that can give rise to some interesting arrangements and full-blown battles—all to resolve what will be done with certain valuable or downright strange possessions.
Points & Miles
While it may seem like a small issue, the points, miles, and other benefits associated with shared credit cards can be a source of serious disputes in a divorce. Airline miles and points can add up and could even be valued at thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, depending on the type of card and how many points have accrued. Dividing points and miles can be tricky, as some credit card companies do not allow for the transfer of benefits. This is a matter to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
Pets
From goldfish to thoroughbred horses, any household pet or animal can be the source of an argument in a divorce. Divorcing spouses have fought over dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, cattle, horses, and everything in between. Sometimes these animals are extremely valuable, and their worth should be considered in the division of property. Other times their value is purely sentimental. In either scenario, spouses may find it difficult to agree on who should keep the pet or pets in a divorce.
Intellectual Property
Physical property is not the only thing to consider in a divorce. Intellectual property can have significant value as well. When singer-actress Christina Milian divorced The Dream, she demanded one-tenth of the publishing rights to the hit song “Baby,” which she and her husband co-wrote with Justin Bieber, Ludacris, and Tricky Stewart. When David Hasselhoff divorced Pamela Bach, he successfully negotiated to keep the rights to “Don’t Hassle the Hoff” and his golf cart.
Organs? Yes, Organs.
While this has never held up in court, there are cases where a divorcing spouse attempted to get an organ back from their ex. Yes, an organ. In one case, an English woman who had donated a kidney to save her husband’s life demanded it back when they divorced. In the second case, a New York man asked for the value of the kidney he had donated to his wife in his divorce settlement. Neither demand was upheld by the court, particularly in the New York case, as the sale of human organs is prohibited by law.
Personal Possessions
The range of personal possessions fought over in a divorce is long and varied and includes plants, artwork, jewelry, furniture, clothing, wine, motor vehicles, and so much more. What one couple deems valuable may surprise you, but this does not make it any less important or worth fighting for. A painting, a ring, or even an end table may be enough to make a couple engage in a courtroom battle to gain possession.
A Massachusetts Divorce Lawyer Can Help
If you’re dealing with dividing property, arranging custody, or handling any other aspect of a divorce, you need a strong advocate on your side. That is what a Massachusetts divorce attorney at Miller Law Group, P.C. can offer. When you work with our firm, what’s important to you is important to us. Fortunately, we have the experience and drive to help you reach a swift and positive resolution, no matter what you’re fighting for.
Call (888) 874-2142 today or contact us online to learn more.