In 2021, when Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law what is now the fifteenth equitable distribution factor in Section 236 of the Domestic Relations Law—requiring matrimonial judges across this state to consider the “best interest” of a “companion animal” when “awarding” its possession to a party—divorce lawyers naturally questioned how on God’s green earth a Judge would determine what is in the “best interest” of a dog, cat, or any other “companion” animal.

Thankfully, we now have some decisions of interest to turn to which can help us begin to provide our clients with guidance on how their companion animal disputes might be adjudicated by a New York court.

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