Reasons to Set Up a Pet Trust

pet trust in California

Have you ever wondered what will happen to your pets if you aren't able to care for them? A pet trust in California is an excellent way to make sure your furry family member is cared for even if you have unexpected health issues or pass away.

This type of trust allows you to leave money to your beloved pet, and it can be incorporated into your estate plan along with your other documents.

Here, we'll cover the many reasons you may want to set up a pet trust for your animal companions.

What Is a Pet Trust and How Does It Work?

A pet trust is a legally sanctioned arrangement providing detailed instructions on how to care for your pet in the event that you are unable to do so yourself. This includes what to feed the pet, how often to groom it, veterinarian appointments, and much more.

In other words, your pet trust allows you to leave money for the care of your pet. Though this may sound odd to non-pet owners, it makes sense to anyone who has ever owned and loved a pet. Between food, grooming, and visits to the vet, animal care can add up.

While you may spare no expense when it comes to your beloved pet, your family members or other beneficiaries may not feel the same. With pet trusts, you can make sure your animals receive the care they deserve without burdening a family member who may not have room for another cat or a new pet iguana.

As the creator or grantor, you will need to fund this trust with money. You can also leave property to a pet in order to fund its care or provide it with land to live on. If you have a large pet like a horse, this may be a wise option.

Setting Up a Pet Trust: When Does it Come Into Effect?

Your pet trust comes into effect if you pass away or become incapacitated. A grantor's disability can make it harder to care for a pet, which is why you may need someone else to perform essential caretaking duties.

It's important that you leave detailed instructions in your trust document, this way the designated caregiver can follow your wishes. The successor caregiver will be relying upon the guidelines you set, so be sure they're clear and reflect your wishes accurately.

If you have a pet that may live beyond a person's lifetime, such as a parrot or tortoise, you may want to create a pet trust as a precaution.

Who Should Get a Pet Trust?

Any pet owner can consult a pet trust lawyer in California to fund a pet's care. Increasingly, pet owners are taking advantage of this option to ensure their companion animals can enjoy happy lives when they pass away or become disabled.

One of the most important aspects of a pet trust is that it can be legally enforced. You can even request that regular inspections will be made by the trustee or another trusted person.

This is an especially good idea if your animal has special medical needs. This type of trust gives you full control over how your pet is cared for. Once you find the right caregiver, you can have peace of mind that your animal will receive top-notch care even if you can't provide it yourself.

If you aren't sure if your family members will be up to the task of caring for your companion animals, you can use pet trusts to make sure that someone qualified takes over on your behalf.

How Do You Set Up a Pet Trust?

Like any trust, setting up a pet trust requires some help from an estate planning attorney. Your attorney will set legal terms for the trust document that limits the use of the money to the pet's standard care and feeding routines.

To start, you'll want to clearly specify the pet or pets you want the trust to cover. You'll also need to pick a trustee and a caregiver that will provide the care for your pet. These don't need to be the same person, so make sure you choose a caregiver that you trust with your pet's life!

When creating trust, you should also provide instructions for every aspect of pet care. The more detailed you are, the more closely the caregiver will be able to follow your instructions.

You'll want to provide enough money to adequately cover your pet's care. A few calculations can help you figure out how much is a reasonable amount to cover years of food and other forms of care. That way, you can set aside the funds needed to make sure your pets can enjoy excellent care.

Like other trusts, you will designate a trustee to handle the money in your trust. The trustee will disburse money to the pet's caregiver regularly.

While setting up a pet trust, it's a good idea to get advice from a legal professional who can tailor the document to your specific needs. A pet trust lawyer in California can help you avoid common pitfalls and create a trust that is legally sound and fits your needs.

How Do You Allocate Funds to a Pet Trust?

The exact nature of your pet trust will depend upon the terms you set in the trust. You can require regular grooming, sessions on a pet treadmill, or anything else that you think will make your pet's life better. The trust money is legally required to be spent on actions and items that improve your pet's life.

In general, a California pet trust will stay in effect until your pet dies or the funds run out.

Setting up a pet trust can give animal lovers peace of mind that their pets will enjoy happy, healthy lives when they are no longer around to care for them.

We foster a strong attorney-client relationship so you can turn to us for any of your estate planning needs. If you're searching for a pet trust attorney near you, our office may be the perfect fit.

Schedule a consultation with us, contact us at 949-867-4818 at Parker Law Offices today!

Maria Parker assists her clients plan for their end of life health care wishes and the ultimate distribution of their wealth after death. She personally experienced the importance of planning at the time her father passed away.

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