Is a dog considered a family member?
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Is a dog considered a family member?
You’ll often see the figure, 90 percent of pet owners consider their pet part of the family. (A survey published in Scientific American Mind contained this interesting tidbit: snake owners are more likely than dog or cat owners to consider their animal part of the family.)
Who gets the dog during divorce?
If one person brought the pet into the marriage, then they will likely be awarded the pet during the divorce. However, there are many variables, such as who takes care of the pet, that the court may take into account. The first question that the court will address is whether the pet is separate or marital property.
How are pets divided in a divorce?
In most places, the law treats pets as personal possessions like a chair or a TV and pets are considered the separate property of the person who owned them before marriage. So generally speaking, if one spouse owned the pet before the marriage, that pet will go to them in a divorce.
