Compliments of Anderson, Dorn & Rader,
Written By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys
If you have a pet, you know firsthand the bond that can develop between humans
and animals. Many of us consider our pets part of the family. But have you
considered what would happen to your furry or feathered companion if something
were to happen to you? Over 500k pets are abandoned each year due to the death or
disability of their owner. These pets could have been protected with just a
little planning.
It is prudent to include your pet in your estate plan for a number of reasons.
First, you want to make certain there is someone designated to take care of your
pet in case of your death. Second, you want to provide clear instructions for
your pet’s care. Third, you want to leave sufficient funds to ensure that your
pet receives the best possible care.
Including your pet in your estate plan is a little different than including
one of your children. For one thing, pets are not people, so they cannot own
property. This means you cannot leave money or property directly to your pet.
Another issue that arises when incorporating your pet into your estate plan is
that communication becomes an especially high priority. You want to make sure the
person you designate to care for your pet after your death wants the job and
understands all of the responsibilities that come with the job.
There are two primary methods for ensuring your pet will be well cared for
after you are gone:
Outright Gift
One option is to leave your pet, along with a gift of money or property for the
care of your pet, directly to a family member or a friend. This is done using
your Will or Trust, and the caregiver receives the assets on the condition that
they be used for the care of your pet.
This option is simple and straightforward. It works best when you are confident
that your chosen caregiver is trustworthy and responsible, and when you have
clearly communicated your expectations and the details of your pet’s needs.
The problem with an outright gift for pet planning is that it provides no means
for monitoring your pet’s caregiver. It will be difficult to ensure that the
assets you leave behind are, in fact, being used to care for your pet. It will
also be difficult to ensure that your pet receives the level of care you
contemplate.
Pet Trust
Another option is to establish a pet trust. These trusts have a reputation for
being reserved for the rich and famous, but they’re actually gaining popularity
among average pet owners. Part of the reason for this increasing popularity is
that pet trusts allow you to have more control over your pet’s fate after your
death.
A pet trust is a written document with which you appoint a caregiver as well as a
trustee (the person who will manage the money for your pet’s care and keep an eye
on your caregiver’s actions). You use the trust document to specify the standards
the caregiver must adhere to, as well as the circumstances under which the
trustee will distribute funds to the caregiver.
With a pet trust, as with other trusts, you’ll also name a remainder beneficiary
– someone who will inherit the remaining trust funds after the death of your pet.
What if You Can’t Find a Caregiver?
If you don’t have a friend or family member who is willing to take care of your
pet in the event of your death, you still have options.
One alternative is to check with your veterinarian. You may be able to use the
outright gift option, explained above, to place your pet in their trusted hands.
If your veterinarian cannot provide long-term care for your pet, they may be able
to place your pet with a local family or work with an adoption agency to find
them a loving home.
Another alternative is to look for a pet retirement home in your area. These are
relatively new facilities, often operated by veterinary schools, and they can be
costly and difficult to locate. However, such facilities are one way to rest
assured your pet will be well cared for. The level of care provided by pet
retirement homes tends to range from high quality to luxurious.
As with other important estate planning decisions, it is wise to explore your pet
planning options with an experienced estate planning attorney. He or she can help
you pick the planning method that best meets your needs and make sure that all
the formalities are met, so that you can be confident your pet will continue to
enjoy a happy, healthy life after your death.
