Cryptocurrency’s Impact on Florida Divorces

Toni Peck

When family law attorney Antoinette Peck took a look over the revised financial disclosures rules implemented by the Florida Supreme Court late last year, there was a brand new disclosure requirement.

“Parties in any family law case are now required to disclose to each other any virtual currency transactions within the past twelve months and provide a listing of all current holdings of virtual currency, which includes cryptocurrency,” says Peck, an attorney with the law firm of Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A.

Peck says the updated disclosure requirement was needed, as she has begun to see more regular instances in her cases where one or both parties hold cryptocurrency, an asset required to be divided by a judge in a divorce.

Cryptocurrency – the Basics

Cryptocurrency is a digital asset that its owners can use like cash to make purchases, and some owners hold cryptocurrency as an investment.

The most common cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was released in 2009, but there are now hundreds of other types that can be purchased or earned. Cryptocurrencies are stored on a database known as a “blockchain,” and the units of the cryptocurrency are numbers on the blockchain. While the blockchain is public and can be viewed by anyone with internet access, determining who owns a particular unit of cryptocurrency requires knowledge of a private key or password, which is known only to the unit’s owner.

Cryptocurrencies have gained popularity in part on the ability of their users to make transactions anonymously and without third party interference, regulation, or fees.

Hidden Treasures?

Because cryptocurrency transactions and holdings are outsidevof traditional banks or investment brokerages, often there are no financial institutions where a party in a divorce can go to seek information about the amount or value of their other spouse’s cryptocurrency. Peck says it is important for attorneys to look for signs of digital currency transactions and to address this issue with clients.

Looking at traditional banking records for unexplained transfers or spending, reviewing how a party purchased items and looking for, or finding the absence of, a paper trail through banking or brokerage transactions may tip a party off that a person may be using cryptocurrency.

Peck also points out forensic experts may be hired, who can attempt to pull data from personal devices or computers for evidence of transactions, and the expert may be able to gain access to a digital wallet of private keys to find the cryptocurrency holdings.

Attention to Detail

Peck also highlights the importance of parties paying attention to their finances during their marriage. If a spouse has talked about having an interest in cryptocurrencies, it can help alert the divorce attorney to look for the signs of cryptocurrency activity.

Finally, for the spouse holding the cryptocurrency, Peck suggests that spouse be upfront and honest in disclosing their holdings. “Once a judge becomes convinced you are hiding information related to your amount or value of your holdings, it can be difficult or impossible to gain back the judge’s trust in accepting your testimony regarding valuations of all of your assets to be divided.”

Once the cryptocurrency holdings are identified, if they are classified as a marital asset, Peck says, the holdings will need to be divided. Since cryptocurrency is highly volatile, valuing the holding can present an issue for the parties or the judge in dividing the holding.

Peck also pointed out there may be tax implications to the parties which also need to be factored into the division of the asset. She stressed that if you find yourself in a situation where you or your spouse own cryptocurrency, you should discuss this with your lawyer early on in the case so a strategy can be developed to make sure this asset is fairly and properly identified, valued, and divided in a divorce.

Those interested in contacting Toni Peck for assistance in their divorce may contact her directly at toni.peck@henlaw.com or by phone (239) 344-1302.

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is one of the largest, locally based law firms between Tampa and Miami with over 60 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, business and civil litigation, divorce, marital and family law, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, land use and environmental law, and, wills, trusts and estate planning. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sarasota (by appointment only). For more information on Toni Peck or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.