Dolores Rice
Pets, like children, can be the innocent victims of divorce. Not only does martial strife transfer to sensitive pets but they may also find themselves suddenly living in unfamiliar surroundings. Pets are a complicated issue with divorce because it plays on the emotions of those already stressed out. For some information about how divorce views pets and what might happen in your case, read on.
Pets Are Many Things, But They Are Also Property
A beloved pet may be a treasured member of the family – as they often are. However, with a few exceptions, pets are animals according to the law and that means they are property. Some states address pets as more than property using separate "pet custody" guidelines. However, most states have no special provisions to protect pets from the ravages of divorce.
How Pet Ownership Is Decided
If the pet is treated as property, the laws of the state dictate how things should go. Community property states have the parties share all marital property 50/50 while equitable distribution states view things on a case-by-case basis with the goal of being fair to each party. In both cases, it's important to note that:
When The Judge Decides
While things can vary slightly based on the state, judges may consider these issues:
Don't let this emotional time-bomb cause problems with your divorce. Speak to a divorce attorney in your area to find out more.
When you are faced with a serious legal matter, it only makes sense to work with an attorney who has the skillset to help. Attorneys are specially trained to manage everything from courtroom appearances to issues with paperwork, which is why you should have one on hand for when you are faced with an emergency. The purpose of this blog is to make it easier to understand when you should call a lawyer and how they can help. Read more on this blog to sort out everything you need to know to improve your legal prowess every single day, preventing problems.