There is a litany of important matters you and your spouse need to settle as you work through the finer details of your divorce. Some of the more common sticking points are child custody, property division, and spousal maintenance. But that isn’t the full list. In fact, pet owners will be the first to tell you that the family dog is a huge divorce topic. After all, you probably consider your pet to be a part of the family, too.
If that’s the case, who gets to keep the family dog in a divorce?
There Is No Such Thing as Pet Custody in Texas
Deciding who gets to keep the family dog in a divorce is a bit trickier since Texas courts don’t include pets in custody matters. Instead, they are considered property. And as we’ve learned about property division in the past, Texas classifies itself as a community property state. This means property acquired during your marriage (with a few exceptions) is presumed to be equally owned by both spouses and must be divided when the marriage ends. This includes the family dog.
To determine who gets to keep the family dog in a divorce, the Court will likely turn to the parties in the case to see if they can work out an ownership agreement independently. If that isn’t possible and both parties feel the dog should go with them, the Court might look at several factors to make a just and right decision:
A few examples of what a judge might consider:
- Who purchased the dog (registration paperwork)
- When you took ownership of the dog (before or during the marriage)
- Each spouse’s living and employment situation and what might make the most sense for the dog’s well-being
- Who has custody of the children
- Who currently handles vet bills, training, food, toys, etc.
Divorce will always be difficult, especially when you and your spouse can’t see eye to eye and are fighting over everything — including who has the right to keep the family dog in a divorce. We simply ask you to approach your unique situation with positive habits and the right frame of mind from the very beginning. Doing so will hopefully get you and your family through these challenging times.
Christman | Daniell Attorneys is committed to supporting and guiding you through the dark days of marital discord and crisis with a unique and refreshing approach to the often turbulent and emotionally stressful disputes arising in the context of divorce, child custody, and other family law cases.
We hope this blog post was a positive step in that direction. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Please call Christman | Daniell Attorneys for your legal needs today!
Looking for family law services in Collin County, Texas? Christman | Daniell Attorneys is your premier choice. With years of experience and a deep understanding of the legal landscape in cities like Allen, Anna, Blue Ridge, Carrollton, Celina, Colleyville, Dallas, Fairview, Farmersville, Frisco, Garland, Josephine, Lavon, Lowry Crossing, Lucas, McKinney, Melissa, Murphy, Nevada, New Hope, Parker, Plano, Princeton, Prosper, Richardson, Royse City, Sachse, Saint Paul, Van Alstyne, Weston, and Wylie, our skilled team is dedicated to helping families navigate complex legal matters. Whether it’s divorce, child custody, or adoption, trust Christman | Daniell Attorneys to provide compassionate and effective representation for all your family law needs throughout Collin County.
Please consult an attorney for advice about your individual situation. The material on this website and in this or any blog article we publish are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. The attorneys at Christman | Daniell Attorneys believe in tailoring legal advice and solutions to your own personal circumstances.
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