dissolution of marriage; companion animals

SB1587 - dissolution of marriage; companion animals

Children

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Shawnna Bolick
Last action: 2026-02-04
Official status: Senate second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Dissolution of Marriage; Companion Animals

This bill allows divorcing couples to make enforceable agreements about their companion animals and provides courts with factors to consider when deciding pet custody.

What This Bill Does

Allows people who are getting divorced to create enforceable agreements regarding the possession or care of a companion animal, including periods of time each party may have the animal and financial responsibility for its care.
Requires courts to consider specific factors when making decisions about pet custody in divorce cases, such as which party usually takes care of the animal's needs.
Establishes a presumption that service animals should stay with the person they assist or the minor in their custody.

Who It Names or Affects

People who are getting divorced and have companion animals.
Courts handling divorce cases involving pets.

Terms To Know

Companion animal: An animal that is a pet or has been bought, bred, raised, or acquired for security, companionship, or assistance with a disability.
Service animal: An animal trained to assist someone with a disability, as defined in section 13-2910 of Arizona law.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if the parties cannot agree on pet custody.
It is unclear how courts will enforce agreements made by divorcing couples regarding their pets.

Bill History

2026-02-04 Senate
Senate second read
2026-02-03 Senate
Senate Rules: None
2026-02-03 Senate
Senate Judiciary and Elections: None
2026-02-03 Senate
Senate first read

Official Summary Text

SB1587 - dissolution of marriage; companion animals

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SB1587 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
dissolution of marriage; companion animals

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

SB 1587

Introduced by

Senator
Bolick

AN
ACT

amending title 25, chapter 3, article 2,
arizona revised statutes, by adding section 25-332; relating to
dissolution of marriage.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 25, chapter 3, article 2,
Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 25-332, to read:

START_STATUTE
25-332.

Companion animals; agreements; factors; definitions

A. The parties to a dissolution of
marriage action may enter into an enforceable agreement regarding the
possession or care of a companion animal.� The agreement may include both of
the following:

1. The periods of time during which
each party may have possession of the companion animal.

2. The financial responsibility of
each party for the care of the companion animal.

b. On the request of either party,
the court shall enter an order that provides for the possession or care of a
companion animal.� When entering an order pursuant to this subsection, the
court shall consider all of the following factors:

1. Whether the companion animal was
acquired during the marriage or before the marriage.

2. The basic daily needs of the
companion animal.

3. Which party generally facilitates
veterinary care for the companion animal.�

4. Which party generally provides the
companion animal with social interaction.

5. Which party generally ensures
compliance with state and local laws and regulations for companion animals.

6. Which party has a greater ability
to financially care for the companion animal.

C. If a companion animal is a service
animal for a party or for a minor who is in the custody of a party, there is a
rebuttable presumption that custody of the companion animal should be with that
party.�

D. For the purposes of this section:

1. "Companion animal":

(
a
) means an
animal that either:

(
i
) Is a
domesticated living animal that is commonly referred to as a pet.

(
ii
) Has been
bought, bred, raised or otherwise acquired for the primary purpose of providing
the owner with security, companionship or assistance in relation to a
disability.

(
b
) Includes an
animal that is used for business or agricultural purposes but that has not been
incorporated into the family household as a pet.�

2. "Service animal" has the
same meaning prescribed in section 13-2910.
END_STATUTE