Young bassett hound puppy waiting for attention.
DIVORCE!
Oh, dear!
It's clear the relationship is not working out! (And close to 50 per cent do not!)
A breakup is imminent, and it's time to divvy up the assets.
So, who gets what?
There are the kids, there is the house, there is the car, there is the furniture, and there's all
the other stuff in and around the place.
"You want what?"
Obviously it's lawyer time if it cannot be worked out.
BUT!
The biggie!
WHO GETS THE DOG!
While pets have historically been treated as property in the eyes of the law, that is starting to change in both Canada and the United States.
Earlier this year a new law went into effect in Alaska requiring courts to take an animal's well-being into consideration in the event of a divorce. It also allows judges to assign joint custody of pets. A Rhode Island lawmaker has introduced a similar bill lately.
It's rare for couples who adopt a pet together to plan for the furry friend's future if their relationship 'goes south'. Some, but very few, include pets in a prenuptial agreement and this is generally in part because it's rare that couples adopt a pet together before marriage.
Usually one person brings the pet into the relationship so the pet is considered that person's non-marital property. In some circumstances people do establish a schedule to visit with their pets or even provide for how the pet will be cared for financially following a divorce.
But what if you never make it to the altar?
When Kirsten G's boyfriend bought her a yorkie-poodle mix two years ago, she thought at the time that is was a bit too much too soon. Soon after he moved in and then they got engaged.
