Are Your Pets in Your Will?

In the event that something happens to you have you made arrangements for the care of your pet? Is there someone who has agreed to care for them or is your decision to have them go back to their breeder? Have you put money aside for their care or will the person who takes them in need to provide for their care? If you have never thought about these questions and don’t have the answers now is the time to figure out what you would do if you could no longer care for your pets. I don’t mean because you are moving to a new home or had a new baby but due to major illness or accident or even death. What will happen to your beloved pets?

When it comes to estate planning, one common matter of concern is the welfare of a beloved pet. Massachusetts is currently one of only six states that does not allow its residents to write pets into their wills. So even if someone designates a caretaker and sets aside funds for an animal’s care, there is no way to ensure that the money will be used as intended.

Governor Patrick should change this by signing a recently-passed bill that would allow the creation of enforceable pet trust funds. Such funds got a bad name a few years ago, when hotel magnate Leona Helmsley left $12 million to her pet Maltese. But the Massachusetts bill has a provision to prevent that sort of excess, allowing a judge to reduce a trust’s size if it substantially exceeds what’s required for an animal’s care.

The upkeep for some animals, such as horses, can be costly. But most people who are interested in pet trust funds are likely to have much more modest bequests. Donna Turley, the Boston estate lawyer who drafted the bill, said her own clients wish to leave anything from $5,000 to $50,000 for their pets. The bill would also allow people to set up pet-care trusts before their deaths, in case they are no longer able to care for their animals themselves.

Such a measure could actually save at least some public money, since animals who aren’t sent to designated homes often wind up with local animal control. Best of all, it would provide peace of mind for the many people who consider their pets to be part of the family

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2011/01/05/pet_care_where_theres_a_will/

Comments

Benny and Lily says

January 5, 2011 at 10:26 pm

Great idea. We have 2 wonderful, loving people set just in case. Good post
Benny & Lily
Cat Chat With Caren And Cody says

January 6, 2011 at 12:02 am

I have thought of it many times and really should do that. Thanks for an important and informative post!
Winnie says

January 5, 2011 at 11:02 pm

Really useful post there.

Thanks
cstironkat says

January 6, 2011 at 4:23 am

My will has the arrangements made and in case of emergency there is a trusted family member I can count on as well.
Emmi says

January 6, 2011 at 12:51 pm

Thanks for sharing. I have never even thought about writing my pet into my will. I'm just lucky to only have a dog that isn't very high maintenance and we already know some family members that would gladly take him if something would ever happen. =)