Buğra B., who lives in Istanbul, Turkey, filed for divorce from his wife, Ezgi B., citing “severe incompatibility and a breakdown in the foundation of the marriage.” The two parties mutually agreed to end their marriage and have not sought any compensation or alimony from each other. However, they did include a rather peculiar stipulation in their divorce filing that could impact future divorces of pet-owning couples. As part of the divorce agreement, Ezgi B. was awarded custody of the couple’s two cats, while Buğra B. agreed to pay “catimony” in the amount of 10,000 liras ($240) quarterly for their maintenance, for up to 10 years. In Turkey, the agreement is considered to be setting a precedent, which could be come a new kind of alimony in future divorce cases.
