VISITATION RIGHTS

MY LAW PARTNER WAS PRESENTING A

NO-FAULT DIVORCE CASE TO AN OHIO

DOMESTIC-RELATIONS COURT.

THE COUPLE INVOLVED HAD NO CHILDREN,

BUT THEY DID HAVE A DOG,

OF WHOM BOTH WERE VERY FOND.

MY PARTNER STATED THAT BOTH PARTIES

AGREED TO SHARE WHATEVER MEDICAL

EXPENSES MIGHT BE NECESSARY FOR

THE CARE OF THE ANIMAL.

THEY ALSO AGREED THAT THE WIFE WOULD

HAVE CUSTODY, BUT THAT THE HUSBAND

WOULD BE ALLOWED VISITATION RIGHTS.

THE JUDGE, LOOKING SOMEWHAT STARTLED,

PEERED DOWN AT THE HUSBAND AND ASKED,

"IS THIS TRUE?"

THE HUSBAND REPLIED,

"YES, YOUR HONOUR."

"WELL," INTONED THE JUDGE, WITH A TRACE

OF A SMILE ON HIS FACE,

"YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THERE IS NOTHING THIS

COURT CAN DO FOR YOU IF THE DOG

REFUSES TO SEE YOU."