Credit Card Points, Airline Miles, and Unconventional Assets
Immediately people think of homes, bank accounts, retirement savings, and cars when they imagine dividing assets in a divorce. Yet in today’s digital and reward-driven economy, many couples also have less traditional assets that must be addressed during a divorce. From airline miles and credit card points to digital assets like cryptocurrency, these items can carry significant value and deserve careful consideration.
If you are preparing for divorce, do not overlook the value of unconventional assets. Speaking with an experienced Orlando family lawyer can provide clarity, protect your rights, and ensure you walk away with a fair share of both traditional and modern property.
Special Considerations When It Comes to Unconventional Assets
Reward programs have become a valuable part of daily life. Couples often accumulate credit card points, hotel rewards, or frequent flyer miles together over the years. These assets may not be tangible, but they do represent real monetary value. The challenge is that each program has its own rules about ownership and transferability. For instance, some airlines allow points to be transferred, while others restrict use to the named account holder.
Because of these restrictions, divorcing couples may need to decide whether points should be divided, transferred, or offset with other property during settlement negotiations. For example, if one spouse keeps the airline miles, the other might receive an equivalent value in another asset, such as a portion of a savings account.
Beyond reward points, digital assets have become increasingly common sources of value in divorces. These can include:
- Cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin or Ethereum
- Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs)
- Online accounts like PayPal or Venmo balances
- Intellectual property stored digitally
Unlike traditional assets, digital holdings can fluctuate in value quickly and may be harder to trace or properly value. Legal professionals can help ensure that these assets are disclosed, valued, and distributed fairly.
Moving Forward with Clarity
Unconventional assets often fall into gray areas of divorce law, so proper evaluation is important in order to avoid future disputes. Without guidance, couples risk overlooking these valuable items or misunderstanding how they can be divided.
Attorneys are experienced in identifying all assets that need to be discussed, conventional and nonconventional. From there, it can be determined whether certain assets can be divided directly or need to be offset with other property. Account terms and conditions to ensure compliance with program or platform rules is part of the division process, too.
Divorce is already challenging, and arguments over unusual assets like reward points or digital holdings can add unnecessary tension. By working with an Orlando family lawyer, couples can talk through these issues openly and create a fair settlement that reflects the full scope of their shared property. When you partner with a legal expert, negotiating creative solutions that work for both parties could be possible.
Was the discovery of unconventional marital assets a surprise for you? The family law attorneys at Donna Hung are available to review your situation and make sure you access a full and fair divorce settlement. Call 407-999-0099 or contact us online to schedule a confidential consultation.
