For many people, pets are part of the family — but in divorce proceedings, the law in England and Wales often treats them very differently from children.
In this episode, we explore the emotional and legal realities of pet disputes during separation and divorce. I’m joined by Estella Newbold-Brown, Partner and Head of Family at Lester Aldridge, who specialises in complex family law matters, including disputes involving pets on separation.
Estella shares practical insights into how the courts approach pets, what separating couples need to know, and how to avoid unnecessary conflict.
In this episode, we discuss:
🐶 How pets are treated legally in England and Wales
⚖️ What factors influence who keeps the pet
🤝 Whether couples can agree shared arrangements
🐾 What happens when there is a dispute about a pet
💷 How pets are dealt with in financial settlements