Jacqui Brown
Mel and Dave
Mel and Dave chat with Jacqui Brown – Family Lawyer at Lynn and Brown Lawyers.
Who keeps the pet in custody disputes?
Although there is a clear framework under Australian law for deciding what arrangements are in the best interests of children after a separation, this does not apply to fur babies. Animals come within the definition of property and are essentially dealt with in the same way as items like cars and furniture, despite the emotional attachments that exist between people and their pets. This approach is somewhat inconsistent with animal welfare laws and regulations about the ownership of these sentient beings, so there is an argument that the law could be improved in this field. Family Lawyer, Jacqui Brown, explains how the Family Court views and treats the family pet and has advice for warring couples on how to solve the often emotional issue of who keeps Fido.