Ask a Divorce Attorney in Hackensack, NJ: Who Gets the Dog?
When seeking a divorce, a couple puts all issues surrounding their marriage on the table. To reach a divorce settlement, both spouses must reach a consensus on division of assets and debts, spousal support, child custody, and child support or let the courts make the determination for them. Couples also must decide who gets to keep the family pet. So, what happens to Fide, Rex, or Spot in the event of a divorce? New Jersey Pet Custody Laws Pet custody rules vary by state. In New Jersey, pets are considered personal property, like jewelry or the flat-screen tv. Like other personal property, during a divorce the spouses also determine who will get to keep the family pet. If they can not agree amongst themselves, a judge will decide for them. Keep in mind, there is no such law as the pet custody law in New Jersey. The law in place governs the division of personal property. Since pets are considered personal property in New Jersey, to determine who gets “custody” o...