Deciding Who Gets the Family Pet in a Divorce
Despite the popular use of the term “pet custody,” household animals are generally considered property under New York law, and divorce courts include them as part of the process of equitable distribution. However, recent changes to state law require courts to weigh special factors in deciding which of the former spouses will be awarded the… Read More »
New York State Senate Passes “Best Interests of the Pet” Custody Bill
Traditionally, the law has treated pets as property, leading to legal results that fail to acknowledge the tremendous role that dogs, cats and other animals play in the lives of their owners. For example, damages in lawsuits where a defendant’s negligent actions result in the death of a plaintiff’s pet would often only cover the… Read More »