Q: What is needed to prove ownership of a dog in Utah?
I am going through a break up. We bought a dog together. Luna is licensed under my name in the state of Utah, and all Of her vet/medical/microchip stuff is all under my name as well. Does this make her legally my dog? Or is there more to it than that?
I want to add that we purchased the dog together, but I paid for the dog, and that was before we were married.
A: Since you posted this question in the divorce section, I am going to assume that you are married and going through a divorce. If that assumption is incorrect, the answer may be different. In Utah, dogs are considered personal property under the law. The presumption is that all property (including dogs) acquired during a marriage is marital property regardless of how it is titled. There are a few exceptions to this such as a gift or an inheritance. Generally, all personal property will be divided equitably between you and your spouse in a divorce action. Thus, the Court would make an order as to where the dog would go if the two spouses cannot agree.
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