Yesterday I visited Indianapolis’s Cat Haven, a wonderful local non-profit that provides homes for abandoned cats. Many of these cats are elderly (10 years old or older), which gave me pause to consider how a cat that age would end up abandoned. It seems likely to me that those animals may very well have been loved by an owner who passed away, leaving no one to care for the beloved pet.
High-profile estates, such as Joan Rivers, often provide for well-funded pet trusts. However, planning for your pet to be cared for upon your death does not require large sums of money, great wealth, or celebrity. Pet Trusts are legally-enforceable instruments under Indiana law. You can set aside a certain sum of money to provide for your pet(s) in a Pet Trust, designating a person or persons to care for your pet(s) and providing funds for your pet’s welfare. Upon your pet’s death, you can direct for any remaining Pet Trust funds (not used for your pet’s benefit during his lifetime) can be distributed to your human beneficiaries or charities. Even if you do not wish to provide for a Pet Trust, your Last Will and Testament is an ideal place to identify the person(s) who will care for your pet after your death. I enjoy assisting estate planning clients with Pet Trusts and planning for beloved pets and would be happy to answer questions about planning for pets.
Here are some additional sources of information about planning for a pet’s care in the event of the owner’s death:
Humane Society of the United States: Providing For Your Pet’s Future Without You
ASPCA: Planning for your Pet’s Future
Prof. Gerry W. Beyer: Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Trusts