The Energon Pub

I decided to start this thread as Bigdaddymcqueen's comment in the Collection Advice thread got me thinking, I've seen a couple of 'horror' threads/comments lately (on this site and others) regarding divorce and your collection.

Now for the record I'm not divorced, or indeed married but it's something that's not a million miles away for me.

I suspect there could be some national differences regarding the law on such matters, but essentially where do you stand? I've been collecting for just over 6 years and I've spent a small fortune, about half of that time I was single, and for about the last quarter of that time I've been cohabiting with my potential wife. From some of the stories I've heard, if I was to get married and then divorced, she would be entitled to half the collection.

I realise a pre-nuptial agreement is one possibility, another is that my girlfriend has no idea of the actual amount I've spent and so wouldn't realise the potential value. What are peoples thoughts on this? I heard one option is (in the event of marital difficulties) to sell your collection to a trusted friend for pittance, and make sure the sale is legally recognised!

Primacron's Little Helper wrote:What are peoples thoughts on this?

Marry wisely. If you're concerned with what the fallout of your collection would be at the time of divorce, you probably shouldn't be considering marriage with that person... In addition, if I were looking a divorce in the face, my transformer collection would be one of the last things I'd be concerned about at that point in time.

Marry someone with a Barbie collection of equal value, then if things go sour you're entitled to half of her collection.

NotEnoughKibble wrote:

Primacron's Little Helper wrote:What are peoples thoughts on this?

Marry wisely. If you're concerned with what the fallout of your collection would be at the time of divorce, you probably shouldn't be considering marriage with that person... In addition, if I were looking a divorce in the face, my transformer collection would be one of the last things I'd be concerned about at that point in time.

word my friend, word.

travicon wrote:

NotEnoughKibble wrote:

Primacron's Little Helper wrote:What are peoples thoughts on this?

Marry wisely. If you're concerned with what the fallout of your collection would be at the time of divorce, you probably shouldn't be considering marriage with that person... In addition, if I were looking a divorce in the face, my transformer collection would be one of the last things I'd be concerned about at that point in time.

word my friend, word.

I disagree. If I were facing a divorce, the TF collection is the first thing I'm removing. She can have almost everything else before I'd part with my collection. Then again, my collection is pretty much the only thing of any real value I own, aside from my car, but the collection's probably worth more at this point.

Prenup?
It's not romantic, but if you're thinking of divorce before marriage, CYA!

Check your local laws, of course, but from my experience (actually having been divorced):

The equitable distribution of property only applies to stuff acquired DURING the marriage. So, if you go into the marriage with, say, a few thou in toys, that should be exempt from any settlement. For example: I had some expensive jewelry my grandmother gave me that I'd had before the marriage. I kept it; dirtbag got nuffin'. Anything you acquire DURING the marriage will have to be split in half, which means you'd have to either 'buy her out' or offer something of equal value--I get my toys, you get your shoes (or whatever).

I know you're thinking about how celebrities get screwed by this, but that's because they get royalties and earnings during their marriages from stuff they did *before* the marriage. Unless that actually applies to you, you should be fine. In theory. Being that this is a hypothetical question.

HK, barracks lawyer

Savage wrote:I disagree. If I were facing a divorce, the TF collection is the first thing I'm removing. She can have almost everything else before I'd part with my collection. Then again, my collection is pretty much the only thing of any real value I own, aside from my car, but the collection's probably worth more at this point.

I'm guessing you're not married and are commenting on a hypothetical wife and lifestyle that you have no attachment to...which is fine. I would just once again recommend not getting married if your TF collection (or any other material thing) is more important to you than said relationship.

Yeah, purely hypothetical, and I'm not currently married, nor have I been.
The relationship's definitely more important, but if it's already gone sour, then you have to reprioritize without it.

i had some of my collection when we got married, 5 years later, it ended. she did buy some for me(gifts, etc.) so when the time came i sold them all. broke my heart, but the money did help me get back on my feet. all i can say is BE SURE!!!!! of the marrige thing man.REALLY SURE!!! good luck!

Savage wrote:Yeah, purely hypothetical, and I'm not currently married, nor have I been.
The relationship's definitely more important, but if it's already gone sour, then you have to reprioritize without it.

Maybe...I'm still of the opinion that times would be pretty difficult in that scenario and, as cool as transformers are, they would be a pretty low priority at that point in time. After the fact it may suck, but what can ya do?

Anyhow, the OP stated he was unmarried and was asking for thoughts on protecting your collection. Easiest way is to not get married if that is something you're concerned about... If you're assuming it's not going to last forever going in, then there's probably a good chance that it won't.

Thanks for all your thoughts! To be honest a fear of losing my collection wouldn't make any difference as to whether I propose anytime soon, but I guess you can't help but think about these things when you hear about the ever increasing divorce rates.

I'll stash Deszaras at a mate's house when I pop the question...

Thank goodness the government denies me my equal human right to have a legal bond with my partner... Collection is safe and sound!

anluise wrote:What happens during a divorce with a house and a mortgage?
My situation is this. My mom wants to go through a divorce from my dad after being separated (not legally) for more than 6 years. All this time my mom has been paying off mortgage payments for the house herself among other bills. If they go through the divorce process, can my dad legally get a piece of the house when my mom sells it? Can anyone shed some light in this.

Laws differ from state to state around these matters. To be honest, though, you're probably better off seeking your answer from somewhere more in tune with these matters than a transformers forum. Hope all works out for the best, though.