(218) 720-2888
According to the ASPCA, approximately 2.7 million homeless pets are euthanized each year because no homes can be found for these animals. In some tragic cases, those cats and dogs who lose their lives were once beloved pets who found themselves homeless because of the death or incapacity of their owners. You can make sure your pet never suffers this fate by working with YMNLAW today to make a pet plan.
Pet planning can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, and it can be part of a comprehensive estate plan or provided as a stand-alone service. YMNLAW will discuss your goals for your pet’s future care and security and will help you to make effective use of the legal tools that can protect your companion animal. Give us a call today to find out how a Duluth, MN pet planning lawyer can help you and to get answers to questions including:
- When should you make a pet plan?
- What should be part of your pet plan?
- How can a Duluth, MN pet planning lawyer help you?
When Should You Make a Pet Plan?
Every pet owner, whether young or old, should have a pet plan. You don’t ever want your animal’s future to be uncertain and you never know when illness or incapacity could affect you. You should have a pet plan even if you are married and have a family and assume that your animal will be cared for by your spouse or kids, as you never know when a tragedy like a car accident could strike when your family is together.
By working with a pet planning lawyer to make your plans today, you can have the peace of mind of knowing that there are provisions in place to care for your animal no matter what occurs.
What Should be Part of Your Pet Plan?
Your pet plan should include, at a minimum, a plan for who is going to become your pet’s guardian if you become incapacitated or pass away. You should think carefully about who you can trust to step up and provide care and should make certain that the person you select is capable of caring for your pet.
Talk to the guardian you’ve chosen before you name them in your will or other pet planning tools so you can be certain that they are willing. Because unforeseen problems could happen, you should also name a backup guardian in case your chosen caregiver cannot assume the responsibility of caring for your pet when the time comes.
Pets can be very expensive to care for, so you may not want to leave your animal’s guardian with all of the responsibility of providing for your animals. You can make plans in advance to provide funding for your pets care, and you should talk with an attorney about the best way to do that. You can simply leave money in your will, but an animal cannot directly inherit and there may be no guarantee that the person who is provided with this money actually uses it for your intended purpose.
A trust could be a better option, as you can provide specific instructions for the money’s use in your trust document. You’ll need to name a trustee to manage and utilize the funds for your animal, and this trustee will be bound by a legal duty to use the money for your stated plans. You could specify, for example, that the funds are to be used only for vet care and treats and supplies for the animal.
Finally, in addition to taking care of your pet’s long-term future, you may want to ensure your animal is cared for immediately if something happens to you and you cannot return home. You should consider carrying a card in your wallet for first responders indicating you have animals home alone and specifying who should be called if something happens to you.
How can a Duluth Pet Planning Lawyer Help You?
A Duluth pet planning lawyer at YMNLAW can provide you with the assistance you need to make sure your pets are always cared for. Planning in advance to take care of families is what our law firm is focused on, and we understand that your pets are valued members of your family who deserve safety and security too. To find out more about the ways in which we can provide you with personalized solutions for your pets, give us a call at (218) 720-2888 or contact us online today.
