PLANNING FOR YOUR PETS' CARE What Would Happen to Your Pets in the Event of Your Disability or Death? Why Plan for Your Pets?  Across the nation, every day many pets are euthanized because their owners are no longer able to care for them and there is nobody who steps forward to take on that responsibility.  Your pets give you love and affection.  And, they depend on you for their very lives.  When the day comes that you are no longer able to provide for their care, your estate plan can ensure that your wishes are known to those who will care for them.  Without a plan, their fate is unpredictable – and in the hands of others.  Your Estate Planning Can Protect Your Pets Proper planning can provide for your pets’ care, not only in the event of your death, but also if you become incapacitated or have a    A pet trust is a responsible, loving thing to provide for your precious pets, and it can be an important part of your comprehensive estate plan. temporary emergency that takes you away from your home. Planning provides predictability for your pets and can give you the peace of mind of knowing that, no matter what happens to you, your pets will be cared for in the way that you desire. Appointing a Caregiver Planning for pets starts with naming the person who will be their caregiver.  You can also name back-up caregivers or provide methods for finding a caregiver in the event that the person selected cannot take on that responsibility. Appoint a caregiver to take care of your pets Give directions about your pet's needs and routines Appoint a trustee to oversee your pet's caregiver Provide a source of funds for your pet's care Protect the money designated for your pet's care   Providing Funds for Your Pets' Care Planning also can provide the money needed for the care of your pets.  Some pets live a very long time, so planning is needed that lasts for your pet’s life or at least as long as the law allows if that is shorter.   An outright gift to a caregiver is risky because, once delivered, they are subject to the caregiver’s misuse, creditors, marital disputes or bankruptcy.  Also, if you make an outright gift of money to a caregiver, it will go to the caregiver’s beneficiaries at his or her death and may not be available or used for your pets’ care. Appoint a Separate Trustee A safer plan, which we recommend, is to make the gift in trust.  You should not appoint the caregiver as Trustee because you need the Trustee to oversee the ongoing care of your pets to make sure that the caregiver is treating your pets in the manner that you have specified.  Appointing a separate Trustee allows for a double-check that the money you have set aside for your pets’ care is properly used for that purpose.  If there are funds remaining after your pet’s death, the trustee will distribute those funds in the manner you specify. Give Directions for Your Pets' Care You can provide directions regarding your pets’ medical conditions, health care, exercise needs, dietary needs, preferred veterinarian, and burial.  Provisions for immediate access to your home for caregivers also can be made. HOW WE CAN HELP Texas law has specific provisions for trusts for the care of pets or other domestic animals.  A pet owner all his life, Dick Terrell Brown works closely with pet owners to help ensure that their pets will be properly cared for in the event that they cannot care for them.  He will be pleased to work with you to design your estate plan to take account your wishes for the care of your family, your pets, and your property.  When you sign your estate plan documents, we will provide you with a card to keep in your wallet to help make sure that someone can begin to care for your pets as soon as possible when the need arises. To get more information, CLICK HERE.