By Anthony Jones, Solicitor

Divorcing or separating couples often argue over resolving finances, however, family pets can be just as important. This has been highlighted by Co-operative Pet Insurance who have revealed that one-fifth of separating couples have sought legal advice to try to keep custody of their pet.

Various arrangements can be agreed between the parties, such as one keeping the pet and the other seeing the pet on a regular basis; a joint custody arrangement or neither party wanting to keep the pet.

In fact the survey conducted by Co-operative Pet Insurance shows that out of two thousand pet owners, in 56% of cases both parties wanted to keep the pet whilst in 1 in 10 cases neither party wanted to keep the pet.

More often than not, however, there is a solution to be found whereby the pet could be shared between the couple.

In such circumstances mediation could be a cost effective way of trying to resolve such a dispute.

Anthony Jones can help you to decide who should keep the family pet within a divorce, He can be contacted at Chafes Solicitors LLP Wilmslow office on 01625 531676 or email anthony.jones@chafes.co.uk