dissolution of marriage; companion animals

SB 1587 establishes rules for handling pet custody during Arizona divorce proceedings. It allows divorcing couples to create legally binding agreements about pet care, including visitation schedules and financial responsibilities. If no agreement exists, courts must consider specific factors like who provided veterinary care, who met the pet’s daily needs, and financial ability to care for the animal. The bill also creates a presumption favoring the party who relies on a service animal for disability support. This directly affects anyone divorcing with a pet in Arizona, shifting pet custody from "property" to a consideration based on the animal’s well-being.