What happens to Pets after Divorce in Florida?

by | Nov 3, 2015 | Firm News, Florida Family Law

Pets are considered part of families across the world, however, in Florida, pets are considered objects subject to division by the court. You can beg and plead all you want, but a judge will still consider a pet a marital asset to be distributed like any other marital asset during a divorce. There may be extenuating circumstances involving specific case laws regarding your situation, but you can only find this out with top notch legal counsel. Consider hiring Mark E. Sawicki, P.A. for your Family Law case. He will take care of presenting your case in the best way possible. Mark will fight for your needs, work with you on tough subject matter, and ultimately be the best attorney to advise you regarding pets and divorce.

Who decides what happens with my pets after a Divorce in Florida?

  • A judge will decide what will happen with your pet after a Divorce in Florida. It is important to know because you want to be prepared to present your evidence to a judge, as opposed to a jury or lawyer. Your legal counsel during your divorce proceedings should discuss such matters, but in some cases of Divorce, individuals do not seek legal counsel and are left to their own amends when considering pets after Divorce. These situations can get difficult because plaintiffs may not be aware of how Florida defines marital property versus what their personal interpretation of marital property might be.

Will the Judge allow a Time-Sharing Agreement over my pets?

  • In most cases, no. It takes a lawyer to fight for your needs in front of a judge. Going into a settlement case over your pets without the counsel of a qualified attorney will only jeopardize your chances at seeing and ownerships of the pets. Do not attempt to petition a court without the help of a knowledgeable and experienced Family Law Attorney. You may be wasting your own time and money for a decision that will not change.

What is Equitable Distribution and what does it have to do with my pets in a Divorce?

  • Equitable Distribution is when a court dictates the division of marital property during divorce proceedings. In Florida, this marital property includes pets. That is why it is important to know what equitable distribution is before you engage the court for divorce proceedings. Having legal representation before petitioning the courts is the best prevention to unexpected rulings.

Contact our divorce attorney in Ft. Lauderdale Today!

Understanding legal rights during divorce proceedings is crucial to succeeding in a courtroom. Family Law Attorneys deal with divorce and its effects on a daily basis. Pets are more than just objects, but they must be treated as such because the courts consider pets subject to equitable distribution. If you live in South Florida, specifically Miami-Dade, Broward, or Palm Beach county areas of Florida, and need help with your divorce settlement regarding your pets, get in contact with the Law Offices of Mark E. Sawicki, P.A. Mark will help you retain custody of your pets to the best of his abilities.