[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/pet-custody-in-pa\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/pet-custody-in-pa\/","headline":"Pet Custody – PA Laws May Change","name":"Pet Custody – PA Laws May Change","description":"Every family law attorney has a story about the fight over the family dog (for some reason, […]","datePublished":"2021-06-24","dateModified":"2021-10-07","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/author\/allen-tullar\/#Person","name":"Allen I. Tullar","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/author\/allen-tullar\/","identifier":32,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Allen-I-Tullar-headshot-150x150.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Allen-I-Tullar-headshot-150x150.jpg","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Gross McGinley, LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/logopng-00436945-e1531508982151.png","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/logopng-00436945-e1531508982151.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/pet-custody.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/pet-custody.jpg","height":800,"width":800},"url":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/pet-custody-in-pa\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X5bCeZE_MYE#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X5bCeZE_MYE","name":"Modern Family Talk: Pet Custody","description":"In another segment of \"Modern Family Talk,\" Gross McGinley attorneys Allen I. Tullar, Kellie Rahl-Heffner, and Constance K. Nelson address the issue of pet custody, as part of a CLE recorded by and shared with permission from the Bar Association of Lehigh County. \n\nMany couples lovingly buy or adopt pets together, but what happens to the pet when the couple splits up? What are pet custody laws in PA? \n\nLegally, pets are seen as property, but there are creative workarounds to seek to have full possession of your pet. \n\nTo learn more about how Gross McGinley can help you address your pet custody challenges, please call us at 610.820.5450 or visit https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/pet-custody-in-pa\/.","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/X5bCeZE_MYE\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/X5bCeZE_MYE\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/X5bCeZE_MYE\/hqdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2021-06-21T15:47:09+00:00","duration":"PT6M23S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/X5bCeZE_MYE","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCOYR3tHLYW5VxFjUoxeMQzA#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCOYR3tHLYW5VxFjUoxeMQzA","name":"Gross McGinley","description":"Gross McGinley, LLP offers a powerhouse legal team serving individuals & businesses in the Greater Lehigh Valley & Monroe County. Our team of attorneys offer a full range of legal services including banking, tax, business, & employment law, litigation, divorce & family law, intellectual property, insurance defense, medical malpractice defense, municipal law, real estate, estate planning, criminal defense, & sports law. Our services are provided by a team of dedicated people offering innovative solutions with professional service. Rooted in Lehigh Valley for nearly 50 years, we emphasize the importance of community leadership & support. \n\nThe content found in these resources is for informational reference use only & is not considered legal advice. Laws at all levels of government change frequently & the information found here may be or become outdated. It is recommended to consult your attorney for the most up-to-date information regarding current laws & legal matters.\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/dvCtFoacLzBb2fnN1EnRLyYMmzaIT8stgK3-UrJ2u9eYfkwRkLXEVf3dEh3ZLrU-3K_JLZUwCA=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X5bCeZE_MYE#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X5bCeZE_MYE#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X5bCeZE_MYE&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X5bCeZE_MYE#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":133}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=X5bCeZE_MYE#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":3}]},"about":["Blog"],"wordCount":514,"keywords":["Family Law","pet custody","pets"],"articleBody":"Every family law attorney has a story about the fight over the family dog (for some reason, it always seems to be dogs; cats get no respect). We hate pet custody cases. And family lawyers that love animals hate them even more. Animals are seen as members of the family, so when a family divides, how are pets handled? What are the pet custody laws in PA?Pets are currently seen as property, possessionsAccordingly to the law (except in these three states), the animal that you love, that\u2019s part of your family, is nothing more than a toaster or china hutch in the eyes of the court. And likely worth even less. You can\u2019t ask for custody of a pet. You can\u2019t ask the court to consider the best interests or welfare of the pet when it makes its decision. After all, no one asks whether the toaster will be happier with one spouse as opposed to the other.In the end, as with toasters, the court\u2019s decision usually boils down to \u201cpossession is nine-tenths of the law.” In other words, if you got the pet when you split, you\u2019re almost certainly going to keep the pet. Lawyers understand this as a situation where there is always an adequate legal remedy meaning, can you be made \u201cwhole\u201d if you don\u2019t get the toaster as part of the divorce. Target is full of toasters, and pet stores and shelters are full of animals, i.e. you can always get a replacement.There are some creative ways to address pet custody in a divorce:PA pet custody lawWe know your pet is not a toaster. Or a china hutch. It shouldn\u2019t take much arguing to make the point that a pet viewed as property or a possession is a wholly unsatisfactory state of affairs.In PA, House Bill 1432, an abbreviated set of pet custody factors, was introduced in the 2019-2020 House of Representatives Session. As with a previous bill, it is now parked in the House Judiciary Committee.\u00a0 Assuming it makes it out of committee, it will likely become law as it enjoys bipartisan support.According to the bill’s memorandum, it would establish the following factors for the court in the custody matter:\tWhether the animal was acquired prior to or during the marriage;\tThe basic daily needs of the animal;\tWho generally facilitates veterinary care and social interaction for the animal;\tWho generally ensures compliance with local and state regulations, such as licensing; and\tWho provides the greater ability to financially support the animal.However, the bill does not address pet custody in a nonmarriage relationship.While we cross our fingers (and paws!) that PA passes a pet custody law, we encourage our clients to seek amicable solutions and work out their own agreements, like this couple. Doodle and Tess are doing just fine. Allen I. Tullar, Chair of the Family Law Group, regularly counsels individuals in divorce, custody, and child support matters.\u00a0 He has also guided families through adoption, guardianship, and LGBT matters."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Resources","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Pet Custody – PA Laws May Change","item":"https:\/\/www.grossmcginley.com\/resources\/blog\/pet-custody-in-pa\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]