Courts in various jurisdictions have come to recognize that pets are more than just property, they are a member of the family. Although Michigan Courts are not among the most progressive in the area of pet custody, pet owners can still find other ways to retain custody and visitation with their pet.
Michigan courts still treat pet custody as a property dispute. This means that a litigant must prove they are the legal owner of the pet, by showing they paid for the pet or were the one to legally receive ownership of the pet. However, the parties can enter an agreement among themselves in which they could come up with a shared custody arrangement if they so desired. If children are involved, it may make sense to agree to place custody of the family pet with the parent who has custody of the children.
If you are conserned about obtaining custody of your family pet and would like assitance to protect your right to keep your pet, contact Diana Mohyi Attorney at Law for reliable counsel on the matter.