What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Pennsylvania
I'm currently facing a tough decision in my divorce, regarding our dogs. I may have to re-home them, but I am not sure if I have legal rights to do this...
to give a little background on the situation- husband has been staying out of the house for a few days a week consistently over the last year. Just recently he announced he was only going to be staying here every other weekend to spend time with the kids, and that he may possibly stop by one night during the week but not to stay. I have been the primary caregiver of the dogs through all of this, and even prior to our separation. He will assist me if he happens to be here.
We are forced to sell the house since neither of us can afford to pay the bills here alone, which leaves me having to downsize to an apartment. Unfortunately the apartments that are affordable for me, and within the school district, do not allow dogs of their size/breed. I'm also going to be taking a second job on the weekends, which will leave the dogs alone much more than they should be. I do not want to give them to some one else, but I'm starting to realize it may be best for them moving forward... My husband has been saying for a year that he was going to see if a friend of his could temporarily, or even long term, care for the dogs until one of us could have them again, but this isn't happening. He claims that possibly in the future he may be able to take one of the dogs. He is currently staying with his affair partner, who already has a dog, but he says one our dogs would not get along with. Our other dog would probably get along fine with it, but he isn't sure if he could take him unless they move into a bigger place.
There has been no progress on him making any arrangements like this for some time now. Do I have legal ground to re-home the dogs without him?
Both of the dogs were adopted during our marriage. One was a birthday gift to me, the other was adopted while we were fostering for a rescue organization.
I'm currently facing a tough decision in my divorce, regarding our dogs. I may have to re-home them, but I am not sure if I have legal rights to do this...
to give a little background on the situation- husband has been staying out of the house for a few days a week consistently over the last year. Just recently he announced he was only going to be staying here every other weekend to spend time with the kids, and that he may possibly stop by one night during the week but not to stay. I have been the primary caregiver of the dogs through all of this, and even prior to our separation. He will assist me if he happens to be here.
We are forced to sell the house since neither of us can afford to pay the bills here alone, which leaves me having to downsize to an apartment. Unfortunately the apartments that are affordable for me, and within the school district, do not allow dogs of their size/breed. I'm also going to be taking a second job on the weekends, which will leave the dogs alone much more than they should be. I do not want to give them to some one else, but I'm starting to realize it may be best for them moving forward... My husband has been saying for a year that he was going to see if a friend of his could temporarily, or even long term, care for the dogs until one of us could have them again, but this isn't happening. He claims that possibly in the future he may be able to take one of the dogs. He is currently staying with his affair partner, who already has a dog, but he says one our dogs would not get along with. Our other dog would probably get along fine with it, but he isn't sure if he could take him unless they move into a bigger place.
There has been no progress on him making any arrangements like this for some time now. Do I have legal ground to re-home the dogs without him?
Both of the dogs were adopted during our marriage. One was a birthday gift to me, the other was adopted while we were fostering for a rescue organization.