If you’re a person who loves having pets, the last thing you’d want to see is your pet being mistreated or left alone after your death. Whether you have horses, dogs, cats, fish or other animals, it’s a good idea to include them in your will.
If you die before your pets or animals, then you may find that people aren’t as willing to take them on as you’d think. Animals can be expensive and time-consuming, so people might say they’re happy to take on their care but end up giving up the animals later.
If you choose to put your pets in a will, you can guarantee guardianship. You can also make a plan for your pet’s care, so you know that your pet will be cared for in the way you expect. It’s a good idea to leave a sum of money for your pet behind as well, so the person caring for it won’t have to worry about spending money they don’t have to spend on your pet’s needs.
If you want to further guarantee your pet’s care, consider creating a pet trust. This trust can make payments to the person caring for your pet, so you know that they’re only paid when they do certain tasks, like taking your pet to the veterinarian or walking it regularly. A trustee monitors the trust and distributes the assets as necessary during the life of your pet.
At the end of the day, animals are important to many people. Including them in a will is a good way to guarantee continued care.
