Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, otherwise known as Logic, is a rapper whose career took off with his hit “1-800-273-8255.” However, his marriage to Jessica Andrea did not fare as well as his career. Logic and Andrea married in 2015 with a premarital agreement. According to TMZ, shortly after the Grammys in January, Logic dropped the news that he wanted out of their marriage and he filed for divorce in April 2018.
Having a premarital agreement normally means that the parties have less to litigate, and it appears that Logic and Andrea were no different. TMZ reports that the couple has already submitted their judgment. Logic is keeping their home and does not have to pay spousal support, and Andrea is keeping her car and the couple’s two dogs, as well as a cash payout of an unknown amount. Their premarital agreement likely addressed all of those issues, with the exception of the dogs.
Deciding who gets to keep the animals is the toughest part of many divorces. In California, judicial officers had little guidance in figuring out how to determine pet issues. While Family Code section 6320 gave victims of domestic violence the right to protect their pets, no guidelines existed outside of the domestic violence context. Pets are treated as property under the law and thus are subject to assignment to one party or division (for example, one dog to each spouse).
Assembly Bill 2274, which goes into effect on January 1, 2019, gives judicial officers more guidance. Courts will now be able to make temporary orders regarding possession and care for pets. These temporary orders do not have to impact the final determination of pet ownership. Courts will also be able to assign joint or solo ownership taking into consideration the care of the pet. In creating this law, California becomes the third state, after Alaska and Illinois, to consider the interests of the pet in determining ownership.
The Association of Certified Family Law Specialists opposed the new law on the grounds that hearing testimony on the care of pets would overwhelm the already clogged family court system. The SPCA argued in favor of the law, as it has in all other states that have considered such a law.
Logic has moved on. He’s been photographed with other women. He has even adopted two new puppies and has an Instagram account devoted to them. In the absence of legal guidance, logic prevailed, and Logic and Andrea avoided a dog fight.
About the authors:
Sarah Van Voorhis and Ariel Sosna, both Certified Family Law Specialists, are founding partners of Van Voorhis & Sosna. Follow them on Twitter at @VanVoorhisSosna.
