A question for all your pet lovers and lawyer-like people

[Lancaster]

Hello,
Long time troll, decided to create an account to ask a question... though not a PERB related question...

Anyways.... my partner and I shared a pet, but we have now since went our separate ways. We shared expenses roughly equally, but I probably take care of the pet 90% of the time. The pet is also registered under my name.

My ex-partner wants to have "visitation rights", even though I don't want to give it, since it will definitely make the situation awkward if/when I do start dating again.
I've even offered to buy a new pet or even repay the expenses for the pet, to alleviate the financial part of the "investment", but there is still no agreement.

Does my partner have any right to keep visiting the pet, or do I have to do something within civil court to get what I want (assuming I am able to).

Thanks

 

[Jethro Bodine]

I'm not lawyer but here's my .02.
It might depend on your situation. Where you and your "partner" married or common-law?
My sister had a situation a few years ago when she and her BF split up. She had 3 cats and when they split he said he said that he wanted one of them. He claimed it was because he had become especially attached to this one but it was more likely to get back at her (she ended the relationship).
Fortunately they had been living together 4 months short of 3 years and had no kids, so their relationship wasn't considered Common-Law. The lawyer advised her that "in law" pets are considered property or "chattel" and would be treated like any of the property they each brought into the relationship (ie: she would retain ownership/custody).
In the end he gave up and she did end up with the 3 cats. I'm not sure how it got worked out but they didn't go to court and they eventually split rather amicably.

 

[Lancaster]

So basically, if you're married or in a common-law relationship, that's when it can potentially get really messy, right?
My partner and I only dated for a few years, but didn't officially moved in together. Just stayed over most nights.

Hopefully, it won't get too serious (eg. family court and stuff).

 

[badbadboy]

Not married nor in common law, therefore do not entertain anything especially visitation rights. They are not entitled to it and if you give them that right they may keep the dog.

Chances are they won't fight for it since it is so costly for lawyers/courts etc.

 

[oppai]

How long were you together and in whose house did the pet reside?
I did the visitation thing and it ended badly...if you're going to do it have firm rules and don't give a key.