fbpx
Stange Law Firm
SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION
Toll Free: 855-805-0595

Family Pets and Divorce

Talk With An Attorney
Your Attorney Options
Your Case Tracker Login

We've dedicated our firm to family law. Watch a quick video on why:

Play Video

Other Related Topics

Contact A Family Law Attorney
You Are Here
HOME
Family Pets and Divorce

Family Pets and Divorce

We all know the unconditional love that pets give to their owners and we all know that everyone loves them right back. We know how important your pet is to you and your family and if you don’t have children, then your pet has most likely taken on the role of your child. You want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy, and taken care of throughout all circumstances in life. A lot of people going through a divorce with a pet want to know what is going to happen to the family pet after the divorce. Does it go with mom? Does it go with dad? Do they split the time? Or does it follow the children (if involved) in their custody schedule? At Stange Law Firm, PC we are here to help you with every aspect of your divorce case, including what is going to happen to the pet. In many cases, if a child is involved, many judges will keep the pet with the child in the divorce. Since the law considers pets to be property, to be divided among splitting spouses like the house or car, the court may also look at factors, such as:
 
  • If the pet was owned by one spouse prior to the relationship
  • If the pet belongs to the child or has a special bond with the child
  • If one spouse is the person who takes care of the pet a majority of the time (letting out, feeding, grooming, etc.)
  • If the pet has a special bond with other pets in the household
 
But, practically speaking, the family pet is considered as any other item of marital property in Missouri and Kansas. One party to the divorce is granted the possession of the pet just like any other marital asset, like the house, the cars, the bank accounts, etc.However, in Illinois, Section 5/504 now requires that the court award sole or joint custody of a companion animal by considering the following:

 

  • If the court finds that a companion animal of the parties is a marital asset, it shall allocate the sole or joint ownership of and responsibility for a companion animal of the parties.
  • In issuing an order under this subsection, the court shall take into consideration the well-being of the companion animal.
 

This makes the law dramatically different in Illinois than it is in Missouri and Kansas. If you are going through a divorce where the family pet is an important issue, we can help.

We have also written an article on the topic, titled: “Who Lets the Dog Out?”

Contact Our Multi-State Divorce Attorneys in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Nebraska

If this is a current situation you are going through, talking to an experienced divorce attorney can help. To schedule a consultation with one of our divorce lawyers in St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, Wichita, Topeka, Overland Park, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Omaha, Lincoln, or nearby, you can contact us online or call us at any of our convenient locations.


ASLA Logo
Lead Counsel Rated
Super Lawyers Logo
Americal Legal Institute
NAFLA
10 Best Lawyers
Avvo Rating Superb
National Trial Lawyers
Top One Percent
National Academy of Jurisprudence
Best Attorneys of America Logo
National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers
13
America's Top 100 Attorneys
American Jurist Institute Top 100 Attorneys
American Jurist Institute Top 10 Attorneys

ABOUT

Helpful Information for Individuals Going Through a Divorce

You can also find out the following topics on our webpage by clicking below or looking at the menus:
Dissolution of Marriage
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Legal Separation
There are some instances where married parties are separated, but are unsure whether their marriage can be reconciled or may later need to be dissolved. We can help with a legal separation if thi...
LEARN MORE
Family Law
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Annulment
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Collaborative Law/Mediation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontes
LEARN MORE
Paternity Law/Mediation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Guardianships and conservatorships Law/Mediation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a d
LEARN MORE
Fertility and surrogacy
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Name Change
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Orders of Protection
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Step-parent adoption
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Adoption
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Minor emancipation
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Grandparents' rights
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Appeals
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Child Support
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Child Custody
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Juvenile Matters
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Modifications
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Contempt
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Military Divorce
Unfortunately, there are times when a marriage is irretrievably broken and a divorce is the only option. We can help with your uncontested, contested, simple or complex divorce case.
LEARN MORE
Serving the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield, Wichita, Topeka, Tulsa and Beyond in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas and Oklahoma

From our webpage, you can also read articles about family law, view informational videos, seminar videos, listen to our podcast, download our mobile application or view support calculators for Missouri,  Illinois and Kansas.

If you are looking to find and hire a child custody lawyer, contact us online or by phone to schedule a consultation at any of our convenient locations.

CLICK HERE TO CALL US
SEND US AN EMAIL
FIND AN OFFICE NEAR YOU
book-prenup-1

Prenuptial Agreements Line by Line

Aspatore Books from Thomson Reuters Westlaw
LEARN MORE
book-military-1

Strategies For Family Law Illinois

Aspatore Books from Thomson Reuters Westlaw
LEARN MORE
book-family-1

Strategies For Military Family Law

Aspatore Books from Thomson Reuters Westlaw
LEARN MORE

Protect Yourself By Understanding Your Options and Knowing Your Rights

VIEW OUR FREE RESOURCES

GET HELP NOW

MAIN OFFICE LOCATION

Stange Law Firm, PC

120 S. Central Avenue, Suite 450

St. Louis (Clayton), Missouri 63105

Toll Free: 855-805-0595
Fax: 314-963-9191
Group 144

DIVORCE HEADQUATERS APP

Download The App Here

Contact Our Team

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Family Law Legal Services At Your Fingertips

DOWNLOAD THE DHQ APP
PAY YOUR BILL ONLINE

FEATURED ARTICLES FROM THE STANGE LAW TEAM

When you choose us, you don’t have to sacrifice quality or service. You get the resources of a large divorce and family law firm AND the attentive service of a local attorney.
VIEW ALL ARTICLES
Facebook-f Linkedin-in Twitter Youtube Pinterest-p Instagram Soundcloud
© 2022 by Stange Law Firm, PC. All rights reserved. Disclaimer | Site Map
The choice of a lawyer is an important decision & should not be based solely upon advertisements. See additional disclaimers here.

Digital Marketing By: