Are Pets Considered Property in a Divorce?
Based on divorce lawyer Columbus, OH researched. Houses can be sold, and much of our possessions can be split, including the family dog, according to the statute. As a result, deciding who gets the dog (or cat) becomes a major point of contention. Custody of the dog following a divorce is also a contentious issue since pets are often treated as family members. Pet parents regard their pets as invaluable and irreplaceable, just as they regard their children. Before going to court, couples will also settle on a custodial schedule for the dog as well as asset separation.
In the event that no compromise is reached, the judge will determine who, if anyone, gets custody of the puppy.
In one instance, an irritated judge ordered a court marshal to take the dog in question to a local park to see which parent it ran to. The divorcing humans were told not to call the dog's name or stuff liver treats into their pockets, as this would be considered interfering with evidence or bribing a witness.
The wife was the victorious parent. Her soon-to-be ex-husband received $500 in lieu of custody, and his protests went unheard, at least in this situation.
Some courts have recognized the importance of a human child's relationship with a pet and are working to protect it. They either order that the pet be given the same custody schedule as the human child or that the pet be given to the parent who spends the most time with the child. When there are no pets, however, the court is more likely to order a divorcing couple to sell the dog or make one party “buy” it from the other.
Animal rights activists are working to reform how the law views animals so that they are regarded as sentient beings with their own set of rights, rather than as property. New laws that recognize animals as entities may not only allow for new interpretations of veterinary malpractice situations, agriculture, and the entertainment industry, but they may also allow for new interpretations in other areas.
Emotional support animals may be the tool that changes pets' legal status, according to a recent wrinkle.
Whatever custody agreement you've worked out with the dog, regardless of how nice or acrimonious your divorce is, it's important to always prioritize your dog's best interests throughout a divorce. It's difficult to think kindly of the person you're breaking up with, but it shouldn't be difficult to think kindly of your dog and make choices that are in her best interests.
Consider how reassuring it is to concentrate on your dog when you're not feeling well, to have a caring, trusting creature to look after and provide you with constructive feedback about the world. Dogs can have a calming effect in our lives, making the painful reality of divorce a little easier to bear.