Divorce cases in Illinois involve deciding who gets what. One such challenge is deciding who gets to keep the family dog. Pets may be highly valued by both parties, so during a divorce, it may be quite difficult to determine who gets custody of the dog.
It is important to note that there is no explicit provision for animals under family law. Instead, they are included in the property category. When you can’t decide who gets the dog, shared custody is the next available option. There are some advantages associated with shared pet custody.
Benefits of joint pet custody
Shared custody ensures that the relationship between you, your ex-spouse and the dog is preserved. This is important since you don’t have to say goodbye to your dog if you don’t want to. Agreeing to share custody may help your dog avoid behavioral issues associated with divorce.
Your dog needs to be well taken care of. This includes providing food, medical services and comfortable shelter, all of which cost money. Splitting these expenses between the two of you cuts down the costs. It also gives both of you a chance to spend time with your pet.
How do you share a pet?
Before you agree on sharing, you must establish who the rightful owner is. The court sees the person who registers and renews the dog’s license as the owner. After this, you can agree on how you are going to share all expenses. These may include medical care, grooming and even travel arrangements. Put this agreement in writing and have a calendar to track it down.
When it comes to divorce and pets, your dog’s well-being and happiness are important considerations. The choices you make directly affect your dog. Pets react to stress in the household, so it’s best if you ensure that your dog doesn’t feel the pangs of divorce.
