Include Your Pets In Your Estate Planning

Have you considered what would happen to your pets
in the event of your disability or death?

A Pet Trust is a responsible, loving thing to do for your pets, and it's an important part of a comprehensive estate plan.  Some people think that having a "Pet Trust" means that you are planning to leave your entire estate to your pet.  There have been some bizarre instances in history when people have tried to do just that - however, that is not what we mean when we talk about Pet Trusts.  

Why plan for your pets?  As a pet owner, you ant the best for your pets.  Your pets are very dependent on you for their survival - just like small children are dependent on their parents.  What will happen to your pet if you are incapacitated even for a few days or weeks?  Who will know what to do and what your pets are used to?  Planning can lead to peace of mind, so you can rest assured that your pets will be cared for in the way that you desire.

The laws of the State of California allow for trusts for the care of pets or domestic animals for the life of the animal.  We will work with you to design the legal documents to take advantage of these laws for your pet's protection.  Once your documents are in place, we will provide you with a wallet card to help guarantee that someone can begin to care for your pets as soon as necessary.

What is included in a pet trust?

Appoint a caregiver to take care of your pets - name the person who you would like to take care of your pet when you can't.  You can also name a back-up person, in case the person selected cannot take care of your pets.

Give directions about your pet's needs and routines - name the pet's veterinarian, medical conditions, exercise needs, dietary needs, preferred groomer, boarding facility, and even burial arrangements.

Appoint a trustee to oversee your pet's care - this person can be the caregiver, or a separate person - it's up to you.  They make sure that your desires are being carried out in the manner that you designated in your plans, and the monies are being spent on the care of your pet.

Provide a source of funds for your pet's care - we will help you calculate an amount to leave in trust for the care of your pet to cover the expenses for you pets needs and routines. 

Protect the money designated for your pet's care - the money left for your pet will be in a trust so that it can only be used to care for your pet.  If the pet dies and there is money left over, you can designate who will get the remainder (sometimes people choose a charity, such as the Humane Society)

Here are some sobering statistics about pets in the United States:

• An estimated 500,000 pets per year are orphaned and tragically euthanized due to the death or disability of their owners.
• Over 67% of pet owners treat their pets like a member of the family, but as few as 12% think to include their animals in their estate planning.
• You can not be sure that you will outlive your pets, and they will ALWAYS rely on you for their care.