Protect Your Pet

I know that people are very capable of doing horrible things and sadly if you turn on the news you can hear about it all day long. This makes me particularly sad because not only are your stealing someone's property but you are also stealing their best friend. For most pet owners, their fur babies are not property at all. They are members of the family. People are now stealing family pets and selling them for profit. This makes the rest of us more paranoid because when we drop off our pets at doggy daycare, grooming, pet sitting, etc. we could come back and our pet is gone. It's not like you need to show an ID when you pick up your pet. Is this what the next trend will be? We've seen how things have changed with children and being picked up at school by their real guardian. For good reason of course! Who knows how the laws are going to change it is impossible to say as animal law is still somewhat taboo. Pets are property under the law but advocates are always working for a better future for our fur babies. 


Article found on ASPCA website:

http://www.aspca.org/blog/warning-pet-flipping-rise?ms=so_fac_blog-post-pet-flipping-20130722&initialms=so_fac_blog-post-pet-flipping-20130722&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=facebook&utm_source=blog-post-pet-flipping-20130722

Scorched Earth

Divorce ravages everything. All the joy and beauty that existed between two people when they decided to embark on forever is smashed to bits and pieces in divorce proceedings. Remember that beautiful furniture you picked with such zest with your significant other? If you both loved it so much then there is a great chance that you will be fighting tooth and nail to get it if you are going through the divorce. And for what? Memories perhaps, revenge partially?

Today a client sat before me with deep misery in his eyes. He has to file for bankruptcy after maxing out all his credit cards and losing all assets due to his recent divorce. There are also the monthly maintenance fees that must be made under the divorce decree. Don't stop making those payments because the courts will get you GOOD. There is nothing left in his paycheck after it has been purged by court mandated garnishments. Many people get divorced and for some it is truly necessary. I have rarely seen a divorced person who does not get out with battle scars. People fight over the pettiest things but then there are real issues as to who gets the house, the car, the kids, THE DOGS! Yes, DOGS! Dogs are property and can be awarded to one person over the other. Clearly, there are details involved in who gets what and what is a marital asset versus personal but I would be devastated if my dogs were taken from me and on the other hand, separating them would be horrible for their mental health. Yes, dogs get depressed and have anxiety problems too.

This is not legal advice but if you are going through a divorce you should really consider getting an attorney ESPECIALLY if the other side has one. I have seen too many people sign documents that they did not fully understand only to be committed to that piece of paper for many years to come.