Your pets may be part of the family, but the law does not see them as such. Therefore, it’s natural to worry about what might happen to them during divorce. Since everyone's situation is different, there is no set standard for awarding pets in a divorce. By reviewing the possible outcomes with your divorce attorney, though, you can alleviate much of the stress surrounding the proceedings—and devise a plan for achieving the most favorable one, 

3 Primary Ways to Handle Pets During Divorce

1. Selling Them

In some scenarios, neither party is able to keep the pets. If you must both move into apartment buildings, for example, selling the animals may be the wisest choice. You may also be ordered to sell them if you cannot agree on who gets to keep them. Likewise, you may be ordered to sell them and include the funds in the divorce settlement if you breed them. In such a scenario, the pets would be considered assets during the proceedings. 

2. Keeping Them 

If you can agree on who gets to keep the pets, the court will sign off on it. If you cannot, the judge will consider various factors when deciding who gets to keep them. Since pets are considered personal property, though, it is unlikely that the animals’ best interests will be one of those factors. Instead, the judge will consider more practical logistics, like who purchased each pet and who pays for their care. And if the children have formed a close bond with the pets, the judge will almost always award them to the custodial parent. 

3. Sharing Them 

Nowadays, it is not uncommon for couples to devise custody arrangements for their pets just as they would for any children. Since pets are considered property, though, judges are unlikely to devise such an arrangement unprompted. Therefore, it is typically up to the couple to come up with a reasonable arrangement—perhaps with the help of their divorce attorneys—and then ask the judge to sign off on it. 

If you’re thinking about ending your marriage, turn to a divorce attorney from  Payne Law Office. Located in Lincoln, NE, this firm is proud to provide strategic legal advice to those who are facing complicated disputes regarding asset division, child custody, and other contentious aspects of divorce. When you hire a divorce attorney from their team, you can rely on receiving personal and attentive representation from day one. To schedule a free consultation, call (402) 477-7246.