Pet Trusts Are Legal

As our children move out of the house, many of us adopt a dog, cat, parrot, or other
animal that we talk to. These pets become an important part of our lives. We need to plan for
these pets in your trust by appointing a caregiver. This could be an informal arrangement
whereby you appoint your good friend, Kimberly, to provide for your dog and give her a lump
sum of money to cover any future pet expenses.

Or you can also provide a more formal arrangement in your trust by having your caregiver
Kimberly move into your home rent-free and receive $500 a month to pay for the care of your
animal.

Who will oversee the pet caregiver? Your executor, successor trustee, or your best
friend? What will you pay your caregiver? Where will your pets live?

I know one case where the bank’s trust officer was to oversee the dog’s treatment by
visiting the dog and the caregiver every 6 months at my client’s home. Several trust officers
came and went over many years, and then someone realized that this Golden Retriever was 25
years old! Obviously, the caregiver liked living in the house for free and receiving $500 per
month and had substituted a new Golden Retriever as the original dog had long since died.

“Miss Charity” the West Highland Scottish Terrier pictured here was bought at the annual Boys and Girls Club award dinner.

To learn more go to YourTrustDr.com.

Call W. Bailey Smith (The Trust Dr.) today at (949) 833-8891 to protect your furry friends.