Divorce lawyers across the country have seen a dramatic increase in pet custody disputes over the last decade. This is partly due to a shift in societal attitudes. People have increasingly come to see pets as members of their family, deserving of affection and happiness, and whose presence in the home is essential to their personal happiness and the happiness of their children. Because the law in all states still considers pets to be property, the problem of disputed pet custody and support has required creative legal solutions.
How Courts Handle Pet Custody Disputes
Although pets are considered property, their low dollar value and status as beloved family members means they cannot reasonably be sold and the proceeds divided in the same way as other property. Rather, the court will either award custody of the pet to one party or craft a shared-custody or visitation agreement. In doing this, most judges will consider: Continue Reading