Dogs/pets

[Browniesandcustard]

ok, so how did those of you with pets split costs or account for them during your divorce/separation?

We have 2 dogs and a cat.

The cat is ‘mine’ from before we got together. She is very old and I have already said that any costs for her are mine.

We have 2 rescue dogs which we both agreed to. ExH has moved away from the area and is clearly not wanting to be involved with any of the dogs care. I had an email about vaccinations today and he is ‘willing to split the cost’ of this round.

How did you sort out costs for pets? Our dogs are 2 and 7 so I was going to work out the cost of food/vaccinations/insurance etc for the next 10 and 5 years respectively and add a bit for inflation/premiums rising and then halve the costs. That obviously doesn’t include holiday care, operations (if needed) etc hence asking how other people have split things. I do realise that legally I may have no comeback but will include all calculations in Form E extra info.

Thank you :)

I saw pets as a lifestyle choice, and therefore my financial responsibility. Another couple, whose divorce was acrimonious, had them rehoused because they couldn’t agree.

You can add to the form and see how things pan out in your negotiations. But unless there is a huge surplus of wealth it probably won’t get factored into a settlement.

Most people’s settlements are based on needs and they are expected to maximise income and minimise outgoings. If you are well off then decisions and agreements edge towards lifestyle equivalence. What might be relevant for your situation won’t be for other people.

There is no harm in putting it on the table but be prepared for it to be disregarded. This will just be one of many things you may need to make your peace with. Don’t pay lawyers money to fight futile battles.

Thanks for the reply - pets were a joint lifestyle choice and will be a significant cost to me financially. I’m not ‘well off’, I work full time and make ends meet, I was just wondering how anyone else has dealt with it. I’d like to think that Ex H will be reasonable but I doubt it!

In reality if they live with you and your ex doesn’t want to pay for them
or have any responsibility for them all costs will fall to you I’m afraid

i don’t believe any court ( if it came to it) would factor these into a settlement

@millymollymoomoo thank you - hadn’t even thought about it all until today tbh hence asking.

There will be plenty of lifestyle decisions you made as a couple that won’t be considered a need going forward but specifically as part of a divorce. You are no longer a couple and your assets need to be used to support your single lives. This will be done equitably so you effectively can get on with your lives. For most regular people there is usually only enough to cover basic life needs.

The cost of keeping and paying for the dogs will not be seen as a necessity if you both cannot afford homes or to pay essential bills (transport, food and utilities).

If you both had expensive hobbies like golf and cycling during the marriage, neither of you would be expected to continue to contribute to the cost post marriage. Whether that be under a capital contribution in a clean break agreement or in maintenance.

You can include it in your current living expenses and maybe he will agree a contribution. But if he doesn’t then you are unlikely to be awarded anything in a court dispute.

Standard of living is usually only relevant in higher value divorces. Even then there are limits. See Kevin Costner and his ex’s sea view argument.

If he is a money bags then maybe he will be deemed able to support this. But for normal people needs are basics and there is an expectation that you pay for additionals yourself.

It's gonna fall on you if he won't pay.

Fab - thank you :)