Category Archives: News

Pets in Family Law: Changes Coming in 2025
From 10 June 2025, new laws will change how pets are treated in Australian family law. For the first time, the Court will recognise pets as companion animals, rather than just property. This means disputes over pets in property settlement proceedings will now consider factors like:

Who provided day-to-day care and maintenance.
Any history of family violence or cruelty to the animal.
The pet’s attachment to a specific party or children.
Each party’s ability to care for the pet independently.
These changes acknowledge the unique role pets play in families, focusing on their welfare and the emotional bonds they share with owners. The new laws aim to provide fairer outcomes in disputes over companion animals