The similarities of child custody agreements to pet co-own dog contract may appear scant on the surface, but in reality, the two elements of family law are very closely related. Child Custody Law Services offer guidance in child custody agreements, and there is also legal guidance related to pet co-ownership terms. With the right experience and expertise, a few key elements emerge no matter what you are dealing with concerning the custody of a sharable “property” item.
With children and pets, when it comes to legal contracts and agreements, the basics are virtually all the same. In the case of pets, even if one party obtained the pet before the other even met, the laws concerning the custody of pets are always factored into the situation. A “co-own dog contract” like that found here: Understanding Dog Co-Ownership Contracts is highly advisable if you and your partner decide to share a pet. While this is not yet a D-I-V-O-R-C-E, it is the next best thing to it, and it is worth considering.
If one party wants custody of a pet, it has little to do with who actually brought the furry creature home, and it has all to do with a number of different factors. First, it has to do with the pet’s best interests. Although some states are more flexible than others regarding this terminology, most co-own dog contracts stipulate how often the pet will be kept with each owner and for how long. If one party fails to provide adequate and proper care for the pet, a custody battle is inevitable. While you might find this helpful: How to Win a Pet Custody Battle, you should always do what is best for your pet.
Should you ever object to co-ownership of a pet, seek legal advice quickly. You want to be sure your rights are protected even when it is just day-to-day questions about the pet’s care. What seems trivial to most parties may be huge to the parties involved, but with the right guidance, you can do what is most right for everyone involved, including the animal. Sometimes that means you need to have your own lawyer to represent your position in the matter.
For more information on pet custody laws, you can visit Animal Law.