Who Gets the Pet in a Divorce? How Courts Are Deciding Pet Custody
When a divorce is on the horizon, major decisions must be made. Property is divided, homes may be sold, and child custody arrangements are determined with the best interests of the children in mind. But for many couples, another important question arises: what happens to the pets? When animals are deeply bonded to both spouses, deciding what’s best for them can become just as emotionally charged. In Illinois, the court system now has the authority to address this issue directly. A law that went into effect on January 1, 2018, allows judges to consider the well-being of companion animals when ...
