If a dog is your client, are you paid with dog biscuits?
Plaintiffs in the class action suits regarding the pet food contamination scandal face a uphill battle in proving their pets are worth more than their value as personal property, as pets are traditionally viewed by courts. But members of the class may take heart from the case of Alex, a golden retriever for whom a guardian ad litem was appointed by the court. Guardians ad litem are not unusual in child custody cases, where the attorney is appointed to represent the interests of the child. Appointment of counsel for a dog, however, is likely unprecedented.
Alex belonged to Ron Callan Jr., whose death was ruled a suicide. Callan left an estate worth about $2 million. Alex, part of that estate, is now the subject of a four-way dispute over custody involving Callan’s parents, his former girlfriend, and his fiancé.
The cynical among you may think that Callan left his $2 million to Alex the dog, and the dispute is actually over control of that fortune. But no, Callan died intestate, so no money goes with the dog.
Except, of course, to pay his lawyer's fees.
Read the whole story at Law.com .
