Couples often decide that they want pets, and they will likely get lots of joy from having those pets around. There isn’t usually any issue with how the pet’s care will be handled; however, that can significantly change if the couple decides to divorce.
For many couples, a family pet isn’t just an item in the home. A dog, cat or other companion animal is an important part of daily life. Even though that’s the case, Ohio HB 247 still says that pets are to be treated as personal property during a divorce.
Why is the legal classification important?
The legal classification might feel out of touch with how people feel about their pets, specifically because they both may become attached to the pet. Those emotions can lead to considerable difficulty if the relationship ends, because they have to determine what happens to the pet.
Because the court will typically address pets during the property division process, many people opt to use settlement agreements to create their own terms related to the pets. This includes scheduling time to spend with the pets and how major expenses will be handled.
There are many other points that can be included in the agreement. These include how routine care will be handled or when the pet can be boarded or sent to daycare. Even everyday decisions like what food the pet will eat or what type of grooming will occur can be covered.
Another consideration is where the pet will live. Some people pass the pet back and forth between homes, but others opt to use a bird nesting type arrangement. In the bird nesting arrangement, the pet lives in one home, and the humans rotate in and out of the home.
The more comprehensive the agreement regarding the pets, the less of a chance of issues creeping up in the future. Working with someone who’s familiar with the Ohio HB 247 might be beneficial in these cases so they can assist with ensuring that the agreement is set up properly.