Custody Battles Over Pets are on the Rise

A study by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) confirms that custody battles over pets have been steadily increasing over the past decade.

In cases where a child is involved, the study find that the judge will usually keep the pet with the child.

However according to Ken Altshuler, the president of the AAML, cases in which the pet is treated as a child are becoming more and more frequent.

This situation arises most frequently is cases of same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships, and civil unions.

Historically, pets were considered property in most states and were treated as such in divorce proceedings. However, this is no longer the case. Altshuler said, “Judges are viewing them more akin to children than dining-room sets. They are recognizing that people have an emotional attachment to their animals”.