Would you want your pet to be euthanized or abandoned?
We love our pets. However, sometimes our family don’t love them as much as you do. Too often, a pet owner will pass away and assume their family member will take care of their beloved pet or find an appropriate home.
Unfortunately, every year between 5 and 7 million pets are surrendered to the shelter after their owners pass away.
Many pet parents fail to make plans if their pets outlive them. Pet owners can ensure their pet’s future and remove any blind luck planning. None of us know the future. Even the youngest or healthiest may have an accident or a surprising illness that changes everything. A little prior planning can provide not only piece of mind in knowing that your pets will be taken care of, but also structuring a plan that mirror images your wishes for each of your pets.
Choose a Pet Guardian
You probably already know the most likely person(s) that will be a committed pet guardian for your pet. Being able to identify that committed pet gurdian is one of the most important steps in planning for your pet’s future. It is usually very wise to talk to any potential committed guardian(s) in order to avoid any misunderstandings, and even to get written commitments from these pet guardians to you with each guardian's contact information and their stated desire to take care of your pet(s).
We recommend that you select at least two pet guardians, including a backup in case the primary guardian is unable to care for your pet(s).
Provide for your pet in your Estate Plan
We highly recommend that you make a specific provision for your pet in your will or living trust.
Some people wish to include a monetary gift with each of their pets to be given to the pet guardian of that pet for their use in covering expenses. Most believe it is preferable to leave both your pet and money to a caregiver, with the clear understanding that the money should go toward your animal’s care with any additional amounts you wish to pay the caregiver for their time and unexpected expenses.
Maybe a Pet Trust?
California Probate Code § 15212 permits a Trust to be created for the care of an animal or animals alive during the settlor’s lifetime. The Trust typically terminates upon the death of the animal or upon the death of the last surviving animal covered by the Trust. While a Trust can be relatively expensive to administer and maintain, they do add layer of oversight that many people like. For example, the Trustee pays the money to your appointed caregiver and may regularly inspect your pet’s health and living conditions. Having the person handling the money being someone different from the person providing the custody and care of your animal does create a system of checks and balances that many people like.
“Jeannette is amazing"
tina s.
“Jeannette is amazing, we were looking for someone that could take us through a difficult task with our trust and she did it with incredible ease. From the very first conversation we felt we had a made the right decision to put our trust in her experience. if you need a planners that truly cares about you and your piece of mind, call Jeannette!”
