Illinois: A Pioneer in Pet Custody Laws – What Does it Mean for Your Pets in Your Chicago Divorce?

There is no doubt that many Chicago residents and individuals consider their pets as more than just animals. Indeed, social norms have changed in Chicago and throughout most of the rest of the United States over time, and pets are now considered by many people to be equivalent to beloved family members (that, for some people, are sometimes even better than family members). Accordingly, when a married couple decides to divorce in Chicago, they may wonder what will happen when it comes to determining who will make important life decisions about the pet they shared, and who the pet will live with. Fortunately, pet custody laws in Chicago are some of the most advanced in the United States, and pet custody is an important factor in many Chicago divorces. To help couples and individuals in Chicago better understand pet custody laws in Chicago, we discuss how Illinois became a pioneer in pet custody laws and what individuals in Chicago can do to protect their pet custody rights.

Illinois is Second State to Consider Animal Welfare in Pet Custody Disputes

Illinois has a special history when it comes to pet custody laws. On January 1, 2018, the State of Illinois amended its marriage and divorce laws to enable Illinois courts overseeing dissolution of marriage cases to create joint responsibility agreements over pets owned in the marriage. In doing so, Illinois became the second state, after Alaska, to amend its marriage and divorce laws to consider the well-being of the animal when making pet custody decisions. In contrast, other U.S. states consider pets simply as property that is to be divided as part of the property division analysis. By amending its laws to consider pet well-being in pet custody cases, Illinois became a pioneer in pet custody law.

Legal Rights and Options for Divorcing Pet Owners in Chicago 

There is no doubt that pet custody issues can be as heated and controversial as other key issues in a divorce, such as property division, alimony, and child custody issues, and many divorcing individuals in Chicago care about their pets like they care about family members. As such, if you are in the Chicago area and you are facing pet custody issues in your Chicago divorce, it is important to have an experienced Chicago pet custody lawyer on your side. An experienced Chicago pet custody lawyer can help you navigate the complex pet custody process for the best chance of success in your pet custody case.

Pets are family members too and no person should have to go through the challenging Chicago pet custody process alone. The experienced Chicago pet custody lawyers at the law firm Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC are here to help Chicago pet owners with their complex pet custody matters for the best chance of success in their case. Do not hesitate to speak to an experienced Chicago pet custody lawyer today. Contact the experienced Chicago pet custody lawyers at Arnoux Sharma & Standeford, LLC and speak to a lawyer about your pet custody case now.

Source:

aldf.org/article/illinois-becomes-second-state-require-courts-consider-wellbeing-companion-animals-custody-disputes/