Pet trusts will give you peace of mind. Should something happen to you, you’ll know that your dog will be taken care of. While a dog can’t own property or manage money, it’s best to follow a few simple tips to ensure your will includes provisions for your dog.
Will planning is often the last thing someone wants to think about. But if you care for your dog and you’re a responsible pet owner, you’ll consider what happens to them if you cease to be.
Your Pet Trusts Options
You take your dog to DDG or other doggie daycare, so we know you love him/her. You provide them with quality vet care, feed them, give them water, love and affection; but what happens if you’re not here? Providing for your pet’s future is simply something which needs to be considered when planning or revising your will.
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pet_trust: A pet trust is a legal arrangement to provide care for a pet after its owner dies. A pet trust falls under trust law and is one option for pet owners. Options include honorary trusts, provisions in a will and traditional legal trusts.
Things to do now to build a pet trust in your will
Often, when someone passes and a pet is involved, it sometimes happens that your pet could be overlooked while you’re being taken care of. We urge you to consider these tips and make provisions for your pet should the unthinkable happen:
- Your Neighbours: Be sure to contact your neighbours to ask if they would be temporary caregivers until a relative can come forward to collect your dog.
- Be sure to leave feeding instructions with the person(s) who’ve stated will become temp caregivers; also
- Provide information to contact your veterinarian
- Provide written information and agreement with your neighbour
- Provide the information of to the relative they are to give the dog to.
- Keep information in your purse or wallet about your pet and any emergency information
- Make formal arrangements with your lawyer to create a Pet Trust.
- Discuss this information with the person who’ve you chosen (and they’ve accepted) to take care of your dog should something happen to you.
- Always stay in touch with the person(s) assigned to take care of your dog. Keep them up-to-date if your will is changed or if something needs to be changed to accommodate them.
How Does Setting Up A Pet Trust Help?
Pet trusts are not like a will, it helps if you’re incapacitated and are not deceased. If you’re unable to care for your dog, a pet trust becomes effective immediately. Upon creating a pet trust, you’ll set aside money to care for your pet; you’ll also need to assign a trustee for this money. You could also consider using a power of attorney who can authorize someone else to care for your pet.
An excellent example of a pet trust will provisions is provided by the NYC Bar and can be downloaded here:
Disclaimer: This brochure and the accompanying sample Pet Trusts provisions are not offered as legal advice and should not be relied upon without the independent advice of a qualified attorney concentrating in trust and estate matters.
