• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

Armstrong, Fisch & Tutoli

Attorneys At Law

858-453-0626
  • ATTEND A FREE SEMINAR
    • In-Person Seminars
    • Online Seminars
  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
  • Estate Planning
    • Business Owners & Asset Protection
    • Incapacity & Caregiver Support
    • IRA Inheritance Planning
    • Minor Children & Young Adult Planning
    • Outdated Estate Planning Documents
    • Powers of Attorney, Healthcare & Emergency Documents
    • Remarriage & Blended Families Protection
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Wills & Trusts
  • Estate Administration
    • Trust Administration
    • Probate
  • Elder Law
    • Are You A Caregiver?
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Hospice Care
    • Incapacity Planning
    • Medi-Cal & Elder Law Planning
    • Medicaid Planning
    • Options for Paying for Nursing Home Care
    • Veteran’s Benefits
  • Resources
    • Estate Planning Resources
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate Planning Reports
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Top 10 Estate and Legacy Planning Techniques
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
    • Elder Law Resources
      • Elder Law Reports
      • Elder Law & Medi-Cal Definitions
    • Trust Administration & Probate Resources
      • Bereavement Resources
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Will
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
    • LGBTQ Resources
    • Special Needs Resources
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Estate Planning FAQs
      • Trust Administration & Probate FAQs
      • Legacy Wealth Planning FAQs
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning FAQs
      • Incapacity Planning FAQs
    • DocuBank
  • Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Videos
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Puppy Love: Planning Your Estate With a Pet Trust

Michele A. Tutoli · March 31, 2011 ·

Compliments of Our Law Firm,
By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

We love our pets. Each year, Americans spend billions upon billions of dollars to make sure that our dogs, cats, and assorted other animal friends are well taken care of. The American Pet Products Association estimates that in 2010, Americans spent more than $18 billion on pet food, more than $11 billion on medications and supplies, and more than $12 billion on veterinary care.

Increasingly, pet owners are not just worried about providing for our pets during our lifetimes, we want to ensure that they get all the love and care they need after we’re gone, too. This is evidenced by the fact that an increasing number of states have passed laws allowing pet owners to establish trusts for their pets.

The Old Way Wasn’t Enough

It used to be that those who wanted to provide for their pets after passing away simply used their Will to name a caregiver for the pet, and left funds to that caregiver to cover the pet’s expenses. This solution, however, proved to be less than ideal in many circumstances. At the pet owner’s death, the pet belonged to the new caregiver, as did the owner’s bequest of money. The new caregiver was under no obligation to spend the funds on the pet. In fact, there was no obligation for the caregiver to even keep the pet. In addition, the arrangement only provided for the pet after the owner’s death. It didn’t provide a way to make sure the pet was taken care of in the event of the owner’s disability.

How Does a Pet Trust Work?

Unlike these older arrangements that left a pet’s future uncertain, a pet trust provides checks and balances to help make sure that, in the event of your death or disability, your pet is cared for according to your wishes and standards.

When you establish a pet trust, you’ll name a caregiver for your pet, as well as backup caregivers. The caregiver is responsible for taking care of your pet according to the instructions you build into the trust. For instance, you can provide directions for your pet’s diet and feeding schedule, veterinary care, exercise, grooming, and the disposition of your pet’s remains.

You’ll also name a trustee and backup trustees. The trustee’s job is to manage the money you put in trust for your pet’s care, and to help ensure that the caregiver is performing his or her duties. You have the option of naming the same person to serve as caregiver and trustee or you can name different individuals for these roles, providing an added layer of accountability for each.

A pet trust is a wonderful way to ensure that your pet is well cared for, even if you can’t be there. A qualified estate planning attorney can help you include a pet trust in your overall estate plan, ensuring that your pets remain happy and healthy no matter what the future brings.

Armstrong, Fisch & Tutoli, Attorneys at Law

Armstrong, Fisch & Tutoli, Attorneys at Law

WHERE WE ARE

Armstrong, Fisch & Tutoli, Attorneys at Law
6050 Santo Road, Suite 240,
San Diego, CA 92124
Phone: 858-453-0626

Securities offered through Avantax Investment Services SM, Member FINRA, SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Avantax Advisory Services SM. Placing business through Avantax Insurance Services SM. CA# 0D57837

OPENING HOURS

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
FridayClosed

Map

Map
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Disclosures