Asset division may be one of the most contentious areas in a divorce for many separating couples. While many different challenges are involved in a divorce, separating assets can be the most difficult part for high-asset divorces. When a couple has a vacation home, they may not be sure what will happen. Here is what you can expect for your vacation home in your divorce:
Sole ownership
During negotiations, one spouse may make a move to become the sole owner of the vacation home. They may try and do this by trading their primary residence portion or making some other negotiation offer. They may also try to buy the other spouse out of their share of the home.
Co-ownership
If neither spouse wants to give up their right to the vacation home, they may be able to use the divorce as an opportunity to create something of a “timeshare agreement” over the home. This kind of agreement can dictate who can visit the home during certain times and allow each spouse to visit without worrying about being interrupted by the other spouse.
Selling the home
If neither spouse wants the home or cannot come to a co-ownership agreement, they may decide to sell the home instead. Selling the home often means splitting the profit of the home, but the outcome of the sale can depend on the negotiations surrounding the divorce.
Start your planning with the right information
No matter what you or your spouse intend to do with your vacation home, you should both have a fair understanding of what the home is worth. Knowing how much your home is currently worth allows you to accurately negotiate for total ownership, determine how much to sell it for, or better prepare yourself for anything else you plan to do with it.
