Who Gets Custody Of Your Puppies When You Get A Divorce?
Posted on: 4 April 2016
If you and your spouse bought puppies at a happier time in your marriage, you may not be so eager to part with them when you go through a divorce. While the law generally regards pets as property like your electronic equipment or furniture, some courts recognize that dogs are part of the family and may choose to award custody based on other factors. Here are some things which might affect who walks away from your marriage with your dogs.
What is Your Schedule Like?
Depending on the age of your puppies, they may still be at the age where they need to be watched often so that they don't chew or damage your belongings. If you are someone who works and is out of the house most of the day, you might not be the best custodian of the puppies. Lack of attention and activity can be tough for puppies, so you owe it to them to be aware of how much time you'll be able to give them.
Will You Be Living With Different People?
If you plan to start living with someone you've started dating or a friend, they may not be happy with the idea of two puppies coming along. However, even if they seem to be agreeable to the idea, the puppies themselves might become very uncomfortable. They may start acting out or behaving anxiously because they have to get used to an entirely new environment. Out of concern for the puppies, you might opt to leave them in their current home.
Who Takes Care of Them Now?
Are you the one who gets up before the sun rises in the winter to take the puppies out for their morning walk? Do you handle bills from the vet? Are you the one who takes them to get their shots? If you are already doing the most of the care for the puppies, it is likely that you will be able to continue to care for them.
Do You Have Children?
If you and your spouse have children, it's almost impossible to make a decision about the puppies without consulting them. Bear in mind that the divorce is between you and your spouse and the children have no control over most of the things happening; it may be worth it to consider the kids' feelings to allow the primary custodial parent to keep the puppies too.
It isn't always easy to make decisions about members of your family during a divorce, even if they are furry ones. Work with your spouse to come up with a fair agreement; ask your family attorney for more guidance about your particular local court and how they might decide what happens to your puppies. For more information, visit http://www.buchelawlv.com or a similar website.
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