5 Tips for Divorcing Couples Who Share a Storage Unit

Are you going through a divorce with a spouse with whom you share a self-storage rental unit? If so, you may wonder about the best way to handle the items you have in storage together and what moves should you avoid. To help you out, here are five tips for couples in your position. 

1. Take a Complete Inventory

First, determine exactly what's in the storage unit. Some or all of these items may be part of marital or community property, so it may or may not be part of the divorce negotiations. However, you can't negotiate about stored items if you're not exactly sure what you have. 

Most couples should undertake a complete inventory of the storage unit with their spouse or in the presence of an independent third party to avoid accusations of wrongdoing. Make detailed notes and take photos of everything in the unit. However, avoid removing items at this time if you aren't sure if they're marital assets or not. 

2. Rent a Unit for Nonmarital Assets

If some of the items in your shared storage unit are in fact individual assets, you may move them to a different location. Rent a different self-storage unit under your own name and keep the key. Nonmarital assets commonly include gifts to you by your spouse, inherited items, things purchased before the marriage, and items purchased with your own separate money. 

A separate unit is not only a good place to move personal items already in storage, but it also offers you a secure location to transfer other things from your shared home, like personal documents and heirlooms.

3. Keep Everything Safe

Whatever happens to shared items in your storage unit at the end of negotiations, take care of them now. Letting things get damaged — perhaps through moisture or improper packing or stacking — can cause problems when negotiating asset division. Even though abandoning your spouse's stuff may seem tempting, you don't need unnecessary complications.

If the storage unit is small, consider renting a larger shared unit so you can properly store things. Also, make sure you rent a unit that stays dry and is protected by proper facility security features. 

4. Use an Independent Facility

Have you and your spouse shared a storage unit for a long time? If so, be sure you can count on the impartial assistance of the storage facility. You need to know that they will respect your right to access the unit, won't allow your spouse to let unauthorized persons in, and will abide by the terms of your rental contract. 

If you don't feel that you can get these assurances, ask your spouse to agree to move the things to a new, independent shared unit. This also gives you the chance to make sure the unit is appropriate for what you store and that both spouses have keys and equal access. 

5. Keep Your Stuff Convenient

Has either of you moved out of the marital home? Assess whether the location of your storage unit is still convenient. After all, you may need to remove things to value them and you'll have to clean it all out when negotiations are done. Because you should take an inventory now anyway, it's a good time to move to a new facility if that will keep your lives simpler during this challenging time. 

Where to Learn More

Want more tips for managing shared storage with a divorcing spouse? Start by meeting with the storage professionals at Brownsburg Self Storage Locker Inc. We'll help you understand your rights, make sure your stored belongings remain protected, and assist with any additional rental needs you now have. Call today to learn more.