For couples on the North Shore of Chicagoland, where club affiliation is often a major part of family life, country club memberships can serve as surprisingly complicated assets during a divorce. These memberships are more than recreational perks. They may be impacted by significant financial value, long waiting lists, annual dues, special assessments and social privileges that families have relied on for years.
When spouses separate, deciding who keeps a membership—or whether it should be divided or replaced—can spark conflict unless the issue is addressed clearly and thoughtfully by each spouse and their legal team.
It starts with understanding the nature of the property
The first challenge that many couples face involves determining whether a membership is considered marital property. In many cases, even if the membership is in only one spouse’s name, it was initially paid for and/or maintained with marital funds. That means that its value may be subject to division.
Some clubs allow memberships to be sold or transferred, creating a market value. Others prohibit transfers entirely, which means that the asset’s benefit lies in continued access rather than equity. Annual dues, initiation fees and any outstanding assessments must also be considered when determining whether a membership represents value or financial liability.
Next, spouses must consider their unique club’s rules. Many North Shore clubs have strict bylaws governing who may hold a membership, whether spouses can convert a family membership into separate ones, and whether nonmember spouses retain any access during or after a divorce. Some clubs allow a divorcing spouse to apply for their own membership and move up the waitlist due to their prior family status. Others provide no such accommodation. Understanding these rules is important when it comes to setting expectations and seeking a fair resolution to any disagreements.
Additionally, if a club has been a central part of family routines—swim teams, tennis programs, golf lessons or social gatherings—parents may need to consider how access will continue for their children. Sometimes the parent with primary residential time retains a membership for continuity. Other times, spouses negotiate shared access or financial contributions toward dues if both want the children to participate in club activities.
When spouses cannot agree, the membership may be offset with other assets. One spouse may keep the membership while the other receives additional financial compensation elsewhere in the property division. In rare cases, couples agree to terminate the membership entirely if neither wants the cost or responsibility. In any event, working with a skilled legal team can help spouses to “land” on a solution that works for their unique family circumstances and priorities.