Do you have a furry family member?  Have you thought about making arrangements to take care of your animal after you die?

 

One way to do this is by establishing a “pet trust” as part of your estate plan (more on that later).  But before you leap ahead, here are some things you can do that will help your pet while you are still alive:

 

1.  Find someone who will care for your pet if you can’t do it yourself.  This is the most important decision you will make regarding the care of your animal.  Pick someone who is willing and able to provide the level of care that you want for your pet.  Select some alternate caretakers just in case your first choice is unavailable.

 

2.   Carry a wallet card.  Put the names and contact information for the caretakers on a piece of paper and carry it with you at all times.  If you’re in an accident, this will help alert others that you have a pet that needs to be cared for.

 

3.  Put the contact information for the caretakers with your important papers or estate planning documents.

 

The Humane Society of the United States offers a free kit: “Providing for Your Pet’s Future Without You.”  The kit includes a free wallet card, caretaker information sheet and a decal to put on your door or window (alerting emergency workers to the presence of your pet).  To get the free kit, send an e-mail request to petsinwills@hsus.org, write a letter to HSUS, Humane Legacy, 2100 L Street NW, Washington, D.C. 20037, or call 202-452-1100.

 

Before you dive in and set up a pet trust, you should consider the following:

 

1.  What standard of living do you want to provide for your pet?

 

2.  How much property will you need to put in the trust to support your pet?  This will depend on several factors such as the type of animal you have, the age of your animal, the standard of living you desire and any special medications that might be required.  Be sure to include an extra amount to pay for boarding or a pet-sitter in case your pet’s caretaker is on vacation or otherwise unavailable.

 

3.  How should the caretaker be paid?  Should she be paid a fixed monthly amount, up front, or reimbursed later for her out-of-pocket expenses?  If you choose the reimbursement method, make sure you describe in detail the type of expenses that will be allowed.

 

When you can answer the questions above, make an appointment to meet with an experienced estate planning attorney.  He or she will be able to help you craft a suitable plan, given your desires and the size of your estate.

 

[This information was adapted from Gerry W. Beyer, Estate Planning for Non-Human Family Members (Jan. 2008), and is reprinted here with his permission.]

 

Disclaimer: The information in this column may or may not match your individual situation. Be careful not to treat this column as specific legal advice, as it may not meet your individual needs. It may give you a solid basis for discussion with your own attorney. You should consult with your personal attorney before you take any action on this or any legal issue. This communication does not create an attorney-client relationship between the author and the reader.