Who Gets the Pets in a Divorce?

    Many people are as attached to pets as others are attached to their children.  Unfortunately Florida has not developed laws recognizing the special value of a pet.  Traditionally, animals are valued at their fair market worth.  For the most part, current law concerning pets has not changed.  The default position of most courts is to award a pet based on fair market value, as part of the overall goal to distribute property 50/50.

   If your pet is important to you, an effort to convince the court the pet should be awarded to you may pay off.  You should prepare to show the following factors:  who spent time with the pet, who traditionally cared for the pet, whether your children's emotional balance would suffer if separated from the pet, and future plans for pet care.

   If you have an attorney, make sure the attorney develops a strategy for securing the custody of the family pet.

 

Divorce can be the single most important event in your life.  Make sure you gather lots of information so you can make informed decisions.  Many people can benefit from the advice of a good, honest, loyal divorce attorney.  The Divorce Center can provide a divorce attorney that can help you protect yourself.  A lawyer is not an expense in a divorce case - they are an investment. We help clients in Hernando County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, and Hillsborough County. Our service area includes Tampa, Clearwater, Largo, New Port Richey, Brooksville, Dade City, and the New Tampa area. CONTACT US NOW or call 888-469-3486