Pet prenups are here — and adopted animals unlock a special service for their owners

Pet parents can now draft an agreement for their beloved pet before things go south in their relationship.

PUBLISHED 4 HOURS AGO

(L) Divorce agreement and wedding rings , (R) Woman signing a pet prenup. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L)bymuratdeniz, (R)Natalia Lebedinskaia)

A lawyer has gone out of his way to protect the pets of couples going through divorce with a unique project. James Sexton, a divorce lawyer based in New York, has gained enough experience to know that pets have been historically treated as property rather than family in former court rulings. To help change that amidst a shifting landscape for pet ownership, he launched pet prenups so couples can settle the matter before it escalates into ugly legal disputes, as reported by PEOPLE.

Woman gesticulates to a man angry over disagreement. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | SimpleImages)

Sexton worked with CEO Shane Forley to equip their firm, TrustedPrenup.com, with a new service. Trusted Petnup will now offer legally binding pet agreements with a service fee determined by pet owners, with proceeds going to animal charities and welfare programs. Meanwhile, pet owners who adopted rescue pets can use the service for no charge. "I've had divorce cases early in my career where the judge ordered that the dog be sold and the proceeds divided between the parties if they couldn't agree on a disposition of the dog because the dog and the toaster oven were, in the eyes of the law, the same thing," said Sexton, who founded the prenup firm.

A portrait of active senior woman with laptop and a dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Halfpoint Images)

During his long tenure as a divorce lawyer, Sexton has seen the wrath of pet custody fights and the law’s mishandling of pets as mere property. However, he is optimistic that the laws will evolve as people’s approach towards their furry companions changes. Nowadays, courts are having more sensible discussions about dog and cat ownership, he emphasized, as he looks forward to more hopeful change towards animals in legal disputes. Whenever he comes across pet parents talking pet prenups, Sexton offers guidance on where they stand as co-parents and how to proceed if their relationship takes a turn. TrustedPetNup services are also available for roommates who intend to adopt a pet together.

Lawyer dividing properties. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images |Andrii Yalanskyi) — Lawyer dividing properties. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Andrii Yalanskyi)

At present, pet custody is considered along similar lines to child custody. Courts consider the parent responsible for making major decisions for the pet. "Have they made good decisions? Are they in touch with the care providers? How much of a hands-on approach have they had to the care of the animal? Do they have the financial stability and emotional stability to make sure that the animal is cared for?” These are some of the questions the court weighs in on during pet custody. Sexton recalled cases where high-profile clients have shown little concern for their properties and more concern for “Who’s getting the dog?”

Sad woman sitting on a kitchen floor and looking at her dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images| Photo by Sjale) — Sad woman sitting on a kitchen floor and looking at her dog. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Sjale)

Sexton’s personal affinity for animals stems from his childhood, where he was always surrounded by rescue pets. “My mom was always a big supporter of local animal rescues and shelters. And then I've had the blessing in my life of having a number of rescue dogs," the divorce lawyer recounted. Oftentimes, divorce outcomes also end up affecting pets, with many experiencing worsening appetite, low energy, and negative emotions, according to a report by Brad H. Frakes, a law firm.