Q: Just got out of 2.5 year relationship(n. At the beginning we got a small poodle. Do I have any rights to visit the dog ?
Is there a mediation program in California to help negotiate these things ? I do not want to take the dog away from her. Just want to take for walks occasionally and be a positive presence in its life. She promised me this would be ok but now she is taking back her promises due to selfish reasons.
A:
In California, pets are considered property under the law, which means that ownership rights are determined by who legally owns the pet. If the pet was acquired during the relationship and there is no written agreement or evidence indicating that you shared ownership, it's likely that your ex-partner would have sole ownership of the dog.
However, if you can provide evidence that you contributed to the care and ownership of the dog, such as paying for veterinary bills or spending time caring for the dog, you may be able to make a case for shared ownership or visitation rights.
In terms of mediation, there are several options available in California to help resolve disputes related to pets, including mediation through a private mediator or a court-sponsored program. These programs are designed to help parties reach a mutually agreeable solution to pet-related disputes, including visitation or shared ownership arrangements.
It's important to approach the situation with an open mind and a willingness to compromise, and to seek the advice of an attorney or mediator to help navigate the legal and emotional aspects of the situation. Ultimately, the best outcome is one that prioritizes the well-being of the dog and takes into account the needs and wishes of all parties involved.
Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
