This past year brought meaningful progress for pet owners, including steps toward courts considering what’s in the best interest of the pet in certain cases. It also reminded us that real change doesn’t happen overnight—it happens because pet owners are willing to stand up, even when the law hasn’t fully caught up yet.

HuffPost asked Jeremy Cohen, one of the nation’s leading voices in pet-ownership law, why more people are putting plans in place before conflict arises, and how these agreements can prevent painful disputes over the animals we love.

Massachusetts Appeals Court ruled that pets like Dobby deserve best-interests consideration in custody disputes. Learn how this landmark case changes pet law.