When couples decide to get divorced, there are several pressing issues that they need to iron out. They must decide who gets the house, how to separate assets and whether or not to co-parent. However, there are certain issues that most couples don’t discuss until later in the proceedings, and these problems could become unexpected sticking points. For instance, who gets the dog?
For animal lovers, the fate of the family pet is just as important and personal as other considerations during the divorce. Below, we’ve listed three tips that can aid couples in the process of determining custody. If it comes to a fight about who gets the pet, you’ll need a family attorney on your side who can represent your interests.
If you are divorcing in the Queens area, let us help. At Elliot Green Law Offices, we take family matters very seriously because we understand how important they are to our clients. Divorce is about more than assets and money, and your family lawyer should be able to aggressively pursue your interests in every aspect of the divorce. If you would like to learn more about our legal services, call us at 718-260-8668.
1. Have a Custody Discussion Early on
All too often, these issues become emotionally charged simply because both sides assumed the pets would be theirs to keep and are surprised it’s even an issue. Do yourself a favor, and discuss the problem as early as possible. Even if nothing’s resolved, you will at least know whether or not co-owning the animal is possible. If not, an experienced attorney can help you develop a plan to win custody.
2. Examine the Facts
Custody comes down to ownership when it concerns the pet. Business Insider reports that the spouse that registered the pet and keeps up on renewals generally retains ownership.
However, that idea could be challenged if the other spouse purchased the animal, received it as a gift or provided all of the animal’s care. Oftentimes, ownership isn’t easy to determine, which is why anyone who is worried about the issue should consult a family lawyer.
3. Keep the Pet’s Best Interests in Mind
Many judges don’t spend much time considering where a dog will go, and they usually treat the matter as they would any other piece of property. As such, it falls to the couple to keep the animal’s best interests in mind when determining where it will live. The Huffington Post advises that couples should consider which spouse has the means to pay for veterinarian costs and food. It is also wise to let the animal stay in the family home, if possible, to avoid causing it stress.
If you are concerned about retaining ownership of the family pet, call us to discuss the matter with an experienced attorney. At Elliot Green Law Offices in Queens, we offer complimentary initial consultations to provide you with legal advice before hiring a lawyer. To learn more, call us at 718-260-8668.
