Pet Custody Cases: Don't Let Them Turn Into a Dog Fight
A beloved Goldendoodle named Lucy is at the center of a bitter custody battle that highlights the issue of what happens to pets after a divorce.
January 07, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A recent family feud over a beloved Goldendoodle dog named Lucy will be heading to court for a resolution.
The conflict began when a couple divorced and they needed someone to take care of the dog. Neither could take care of the pet, and their daughter, who previously cared for Lucy, was away at boarding school. As a result, the husband's sister took the dog.
Two years later, the daughter finished school and wanted Lucy back. However, by that time, the husband's sister said she had become quite attached to the Goldendoodle, and since she had been the sole caregiver during this time, she wanted to keep her. Because her niece does not see things the same way, a judge is now being asked to declare Lucy's rightful owner.
This is just one case involving pet custody, but many divorcing couples are faced with the issue of who will be awarded ownership of beloved pets.
What You Should Know About Pet Custody
Although we often consider our pets to be a member of the family, for legal purposes, they are just another piece of property that is divided during a divorce -- and treated with no more sentimentality than a kitchen appliance or a collection of DVDs during the property division. Unlike children, the best interest of the pet is not considered when a judge makes a decision.
If you can avoid fighting over the pet and come to an amicable arrangement with your ex, that works best for everyone. During this negotiation, you could discuss options for shared ownership-- which could mean that the pet stays in one residence and the other ex-partner comes to visit periodically or that the pet splits time between both residences. Also, exes should discuss who will be responsible for the costs of caring for the pet -- such as veterinary visits, food and toys.
Ex-partners should also consider how the change in the living situation will affect the pet emotionally. In some cases, particularly with dogs, animals can get depressed when they realize that they are losing one of their humans. If this is the case, you should keep this in mind when making any decisions about living arrangements.
"If the person who is most heartbroken at the thought of losing the dog is not the one who can, realistically, provide a good environment and life for it, my hope is that person will put aside his or her own desires and do what's best for the dog," Jennifer Keene, author of We Can't Stay Together for the Dogs: Doing What's Best for Your Dog When Your Relationship Breaks Up, told USA Today.
If you are going through a divorce and facing issues related to pet custody, an experienced family law attorney can provide advice and guidance.
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