You can keep your dogs, right???

[justmehere]

Because if you can't, forget it! I'll just bury myself in debt 'til I can't breathe anymore. I haven't read too much about pets in the books I've come across so I'm not 100% on this. I have a 12-year-old Scottie and a 2-year-old German Shepherd, and they are everything to me. I do not think of them as property; they are, you know what I'm going to say, my CHILDREN. Of course I know the courts don't care what I think.....

And how about pet expenses? I was quite perturbed by reading in that "Bankrupt your Student Loans" books that some judges think pets cost $20 a month! First of all, quality dog food that won't make your dog sick can cost twice that. And how about Frontline and especially Heartguard? A country populated by abandoned dogs with heartworm is really a great idea, isn't it? Ah geez....

[BKTango]

Short of you owning some seriously expensive breeds or a large amount of farm critters ... the trustee will not want your everyday pets.

Now as far as the expense of a pet goes, it's not really allowed in some districts as a necessary expense on your schedules, BUT you can add your pet expense into your grocery expense or any other expense. Our lawyer had done this, we have alot of pets and yes you will have to put a value on them (ours was a total of $75 for all of our critters), but you just kinda weave monthly pet costs into your own.

[BKOnce]

Be careful with dog food brands that have chinese stuffs in it...

[Bryan16]

If judges think dogs only cost $20/month, then by all means list it as $20. The lower the number, the less of a burden the judge will feel the dogs have on you. If you were spending $100's (maybe a lot more!) per month on a dog that required special care (cancer treatment, etc), the judge/trustee may not feel you are in a financial position to care for them (as compared to your income).

I think BKTango covered it quite well though.

[Lindsay]

We have 2 big rotties. I've heard that they don't want animals unless they have a good value as a stud. One of our rotties is an 11 year old female who has been a very difficult dog to say the least. We have had her since she was 7 weeks old. She is food aggressive (will bite if you handle her food), dog aggressive (can't take her for walks or to the vet without severe problems), and somewhat unintelligent (she's 11 and doesn't know how to sit). I've always wondered if she's just not smart (we even tried to have her professionally trained years back) or just very smart and stubborn. The good thing is that she loves people and has never been aggressive in that way. I think she may have some sort of doggie mental retardation. Well, we do love our difficult dog, and we always kept her because I believe I made a committment when we brought her home. Our other rottie is great, very smart, no food or dog aggression. He's almost 7 years old and has always been good.

I think it would be funny if trustee made me give him our old female rottie. He'd be returning her after about 10 minutes.

I don't think it would ever happen though. I've never read a post on any board or heard of anyone that had their animals seized by the trustee.

[SinkingFast]

We had a regular old "mut" cat which we listed with a $0 value.

In our Court, if your pet expenses aren't extravagant, you can list them. We listed $45/mo for cat food, litter, and medicals and it flew.

As others have said,......... You have to list the dogs and assign some sort of $$$ value to them. Attnys in your area will know if you're allowed to show monthly pet Expenses on Schedule J or not. If not, then "augment" your food, clothing, and entertainment amounts a tad to cover for your Babies' expenses.

[Cassiopeia]

Wow learn something new every day. I have two dogs and my atty. never said to list them.

[CityGirl]

LOL, I'd give up my children and keep my cat!!!!

[familyof7]

Put a 0 value this is a part of the law mostly for farmers or breeders with cash value animals not reallly intended for domestic animals.

[familyof7]

LOL, I'd give up my children and keep my cat!!!!

I really hope you are trying to make a joke.?

[freshstart06]

FO7, you are so funny. But I think she is joking or I hope so. LOL

[danaf]

yeah, fs is back.

[freshstart06]

danaf, I could not stay away, I love these guys too much and I need them.

[frankies_mom]

you don't have to worry about your pets. we have a pug. i am filing alone and my husband found it quite amusing that my attorney listed him on the petition at a $50 value. he said we'd have to give someone $50 to take him. LOL! our puggie is awesome and we could not imagine life without him but some days he can be a handful....

[CityGirl]

I really hope you are trying to make a joke.?

LOL I don't have kids...not a kid fan....they get on my nerves!!!
I can handle my nieces and nephews for about an hour before I want to jump off the roof.....
My parents gave me up for adoption, and now I totally understand why!!!!!

I'd keep my cat though!