Separation and custody of the animal: the other family puzzle

Article published in Le Soir — « Separation and custody of the animal: the other family puzzle », by Julie Huon, published on 17 July 2026.

Read the original article on Le Soir

In Belgium, 61% of households own a pet. In the event of separation or divorce, the question of the animal is far from being trivial. 

Caroline Simon, a lawyer at the Divorce House, addressed this issue in the article available here. This topic is often too frequently overlooked or not taken seriously, even though it impacts the daily lives of parents and their children. 

It is a reality that many families experience: separation also affects four-legged companions, and their fate deserves a structured, humane, and sustainable response.

If you are going through a separation and the question of the animal arises, do not leave it unresolved. It can become, over time, a conflict much more painful than it seems.

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