Maybe It's a Divorce Without Children, but Who Gets Custody of the Pet?

When it comes to tips and information about divorce, we hear a lot about property and children. However, many people assume that the custody of their pet(s) is a foregone conclusion.

Not so fast, Skippy!

A common problem, even in a no-contest divorce without children, both participants want the pet, or not. This is something which needs to be thought about.

The following article explores this problem.

Getting Custody of Your Pet in a Divorce
By Kristie Brown

During a divorce settlement, the courts make decisions about which spouse is going to get what assets. You may have already known that, but did you also know that your family pets are considered nothing more than part of your belongings? It doesn't matter how many years you've had the pet or how much you love it, the court sees it as just one more article to divvy up between the couple. It may break your heart to know that you could lose your beloved pet along with all the other things you'll be losing, and you might even consider trying to save your marriage rather than let it go. There are, however, some things you can do to get custody of your pet if you do get divorced.

You need to make it a point to discuss your pet and your feelings for it with your lawyer. Tell him such pertinent facts as that the animal belonged to you prior to your marriage or that you were primarily the one who cared for the pet. These kinds of things will make it more likely that you'll be awarded possession. By telling your lawyer just how much your pet means to you, he'll be sure to prioritize it as something that should be granted to you. If the pet happens to be a stud animal or a show dog or cat and you make an income from it, then request that your lawyer bring it to the judge's attention that this is a more valuable pet than the norm.

Ideally, you and your soon-to-be-ex-spouse will be able to work out the pet settlement on your own without the court's intervention. Rather than being spiteful with each other, talk the situation over rationally. Has the pet belonged more to one of you than the other? Should you arrange a visitation schedule? Who will have custody of any children in your relationship? It only makes sense that the parent with the children will also take the pet. In addition, if you have more than one pet, don't think that it's a good idea to divide them between the two of you. They need to be together just as they've always been.

Think of ways to demonstrate to the court that you are the one who will be able to give the pet the best care. Describe the arrangements you've made in your home, the amount of time you have to spend with your pet, and the type of care you've been giving. Your vet may be able to attest to the quality of the care you've given the animal to date. Even if you can't save your marriage, you may be able to end up with the companionship of your cherished pet.

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Article Source: Getting Custody of Your Pet in a Divorce
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When a Divorce Happens, It's Good to Have Friends

When you find yourself facing a divorce, you will want to think about ways to start rebuilding your life.

You will want to make this new life of yours work as well as possible...better than the old one. However, there are no guarantees in life so you want to make sure that you are able to get as much support as possible from those around you. This support, of course, will come from friends and family members.

You will want to make sure that you already have friends that are always there for you. You want to make sure that you are getting the support and love that you need in order to make the most of your life and what the future will hold for you. The friends that you keep after your divorce are important. You want to make sure that you are keeping your ties open with those people that have been there with you through thick and thin.

Unfortunately, there are almost certainly going to be some of your friends that are not going to hang around.

They may be closer to your spouse and prefer to keep their friendships with them. There are no simple ways to look at divorce, or this aspect of it. You want to make sure that you are keeping good contact with those that you want to and make sure that you are able to find ways to lean on the friends that you know you can trust. You may, at a time when you feel very weak, have to be a little bit assertive and make sure that your friends are sincere. This is the only true way that you can be sure who you can count on and who cannot.

The main thing that you have to do when you trying to keep your friends through a divorce is be honest with them and yourself. You want to make sure that you are keeping your friends close to you so that you can have a safe and secure feeling...and because they really are "friends". You will want to make sure that the friends that you do keep in contact with are true and honest. You do not want to keep friends around that are going to make life difficult for you. You do not want any friends around you that may act as spies for the ex. This can be a hard act to catch and you may want to be up front with them if you are suspicious in any way at all.

Some couples that are going through a divorce may find that they are able to keep in contact with friends that they both have had for years. This is a great situation to be in because you do not have to choose between what friends you can keep and those that you have to lose contact with. Many people have great relationships with their old friends even though they may have met through their ex spouse.

Sometimes, there will be people who are going to want to cause trouble in your relationships and stir up some conflict.

When this happens, you need to make sure that you are aware of it and take the necessary steps to make the situation better. This may quite well mean ending ties with those that you have been close to for a long time. It may be hard but you have to do what you need to in order to keep yourself happy and healthy.

Friends can be an invaluable support for you when you are going through a divorce. You will want to make sure that you are open with them and have someone that you can lean on as well as depend on throughout the entire situation. You will be doing something good for yourself emotionally and physically at the same time.
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