Just as with ownership of any significant asset, being the owner of a sports team comes with complex legal concerns....
If you are getting divorced and your family relies on a private club for dining, fitness, golf, or children’s programs, you may worry about who will keep access after separation and how you will deal with fees or credits.
Our experienced divorce lawyers at The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm could explain how membership terms, interim use, and potential value are addressed in divorce cases. We are here to help and give you answers to your questions.
How divorce affects private or exclusive club memberships often depends on the contract terms and how the membership was acquired. Some memberships are tied to one spouse, while others may be considered marital property. Clubs may limit transfers, require approval, or deny refunds, which can complicate division during the separation process.
Private clubs offer amenities, networks, reservations, and connections that can take years to establish. During a divorce, the impact of issues such as ownership, transfer rights, interim use, and value treatment of private club memberships and exclusive access becomes central. You should take the following steps to ensure your rights are in order once your divorce is settled.
Membership types vary and may include personal, family, and corporate memberships. Review agreements, bylaws, and side letters to verify member status, privileges, and separation clauses. You should also be sure to take note of wait-list, resale, or forfeiture rules if dues are unpaid.
Clubs distinguish fees, bonds, and charges, with some allowing transfers during a divorce while others do not. Guest and spousal privileges often end upon separation. Verify if your children’s access to the program depends on their member status. Clubs also have codes that protect privacy and reputation. Misuse or public disruptions risk suspension, while appropriate behaviour ensures continued access.
When both spouses use the club, you should establish rules for reservations, blackout periods, dues, and responsibilities. In conflicts, appoint a single point of contact with the club and avoid using staff channels.
Some memberships have resale value or business benefits. Provide your divorce attorney with purchase records, statements, valuations, and transfer correspondence. For corporate memberships, include control resolutions and payment of fees.
There are options for one spouse to retain the membership after the divorce or to sell the membership. To support both valuing access and phased transitions, wait-list strategies can minimise disruption, especially for children.
If you need a focused plan for how divorce impacts private club memberships and exclusive access during a separation, The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm could help you organise the agreements, set interim rules, and align disclosure with your broader divorce strategy. Call one of our divorce lawyers for help. We could review your goals and outline the next steps for your club’s documents and procedures.
The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm
