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Question Details: I have three dogs that I adore and want to keep when I separate from my partner. What will happen with them?
Filed under Family Law | 1529 View(s)
Community Law Wellington & Hutt Valley
It will be up to you and your partner to decide what happens to your pets when you separate.
The law treats pets as relationship property, and the Property (Relationships) Act is the law that applies to property when couples split up. If you have been together for more than 3 years, then technically the pets can be divided equally between you. Read more about relationship property law by clicking here: www.communitylaw.org.nz. If you cannot agree, you could get lawyers involved.
If you have been together for over 3 years, or have a child together, the Property (Relationships) Act will apply. You can sign a contracting out agreement which records that the pets remain yours. You will need to get a lawyer each if you want to make a legally effective agreement about how you split up the property (including the dogs). You can find a relationship property lawyer near you by using the Law Society's search tool: www.familylaw.org.nz.
Answered 19 Sep 2012. The IMPORTANT NOTICE below is part of this answer.
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