A Michael Broad Blog
Under the law in the UK, and in most other countries, cats and dogs are regarded as inanimate objects; in old-fashioned English they are “chattels”. To a couple who are divorcing they are far more than chattels. They are family members and there is often, nearly always, a close emotional bond between animal and …
A divorce court in Argentina gave the couple’s dogs equal rights on this one occasion and allowed the animals to select who they want to live with. The case sets a legal precedent, and it is probably a world first. The case temporarily grants rights to animals that are equal to those of humans, …
In the UK, and the USA, and I suspect many other so-called developed countries, the family cat is currently treated as a family asset to be divided on fairness principles just like any other family asset. The argument is that the cat, as a sentient being, should be treated as a child. In divorce …
There is an increase in disputes, in the UK and perhaps in other countries, between divorcing couples over who should keep the cat or dog (and indeed any other companion animal). One possible reason is that in Britain there has been a steady decline in the birthrate which leads to an increased focus on …
When a couple are married, the domestic cat is a member of the family, cherished and loved, often particularly strongly by the children of the family. When a couple are divorcing, the cat or the dog sometimes becomes a “possession” (“chattel” in old fashioned legal English) of the once happily married couple, to be …
Couples with marriage on their mind are increasingly insisting on a prenuptial agreement which sets out who gets custody of the pets if and when they separate. It’s a bit scientific, cold and calculating but it is sensible. Prenuptial agreements help to avoid drawnout litigation at the end of a marriage often with devastating …
This flow chart explains why I say life is getting better for the domestic cat: The information comes from the AVMA 2012 U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook. This obviously applies to the USA. However it could equally well apply to the UK. The specific numbers (USA) are as follows: Among divorced, widowed and …
by Michael Victim of divorce – Photo by highstrungloner (Flickr) A recent divorce case in the United States has reminded me how to work the court system to your advantage in a divorce. You know what happens in divorce. People fight over their possessions. Children are possessions to some married couples. They fight over …
