It is expected that this model will become more common and that more courts will consider the interests of an animal when determining the custody of pets. Your attorney can advise you on the law in your state. An experienced family law attorney can guide you through the ever-changing field of pet custody laws and even represent you in court if necessary. You`re probably already advising or actively seeking out an experienced family law lawyer to help you with other aspects of your separation. Many people view pets as more than just property and treat them like family. In the event of a dispute, for example when two people divorce or separate, the question of custody of pets often arises as to who is allowed to keep the animals. Yes, you can and should! Again, pets are treated as personal property, which means that when a relationship dissolves, pet custody can often be determined by a written agreement alone. For example, in custody cases, the judge always has the final say on custody arrangements, guided by the best interests of the child. These animals were then adopted by well-meaning and generous families. However, as affected families recovered from the disaster, many attempted to regain custody of their pets, resulting in numerous custody disputes. As we cross our fingers (and paws!) for PA to pass custody of pets, we encourage our clients to seek out amicable solutions and craft their own agreements, like this couple. Doodle and Tess are doing well.

If you`re in a relationship but don`t intend to get married, a cohabitation agreement could offer you many of the same protections as a prenuptial agreement. Read on to see if this legal contract is right for you. Prior to the enactment of this law, pets were simply treated like any other inanimate property such as a television or dining table. Now, there are much clearer guidelines on how keeping a pet is managed and that are based on what the court deems best for the animal. One way to keep pet custody out of court is to have a fair custody arrangement that provides for either joint custody of the pet or sole custody with a visiting schedule for the other partner. However, joint custody is usually not the best thing for your pet. Pets, such as children, are often traumatized during a divorce or when partners separate. A custody arrangement where the animal goes back and forth between homes – whether the house is around the corner or across the country – is not in the best interest of the animal. In such a case, shared custody will not work well for anyone, especially for the animal. In addition, some courts have begun to award pet owners joint custody, visitation and, in extreme cases, child support.

So far, most of these lawsuits have involved keeping dogs. There are creative ways to approach pet custody during a divorce: This article was written by Jennifer Mueller, JD. Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, revises, and evaluates wikiHow`s legal content to ensure rigour and accuracy. She received her J.D. from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 84,951 times. Every lawyer in the family has a history of fighting for the family dog (for some reason, it always seems to be dogs; Cats are not respected).

We hate pet sitting cases. And family law lawyers who love animals hate them even more. Animals are considered family members, so if a family splits, how are pets treated? What are the pet custody laws in Pennsylvania? Nevertheless, you can get the animal under certain circumstances. For example, if you take care of the animal most of the time, you could get it even if your spouse pays most of the vet bills. If you get custody of the children, a judge will want to keep the animal with them in the best interest of a pet. In other states, custody could be divided, with children going to one parent and the animal to the other parent. Pet sitting refers to problems that arise when more than one person claims ownership of a dog, cat, or other small animal. Pet custody issues sometimes lead to a dispute over ownership and custody.

In states where judges consider your pet personal property and you don`t have a pet custody agreement, you`ll need to prove why you`re entitled to it instead of your partner. Even if your state considers pets personal property, spouses should still show that if you`re worried about what may happen to your pet during a legal separation or divorce, consulting an experienced family attorney who understands the issue and the new regulations can help ease your concerns. Talk to your divorce attorney about how pet custody is determined in your state so you`re ready when it comes to court. Did you know that you can have a pet custody agreement that stipulates where your pet will live if you and your partner separate? Read on to find out how a custody agreement can help you keep your pet after divorce or when the relationship ends.