Proving For Your Pets

     For many people, particularly the elderly, a pet is an important and comforting part of life, and the care and well-being of the pet is a primary concern. With this in mind, there are situations in which a pet owner should carefully plan for the care of the pet. They are as follows:

1. On the death of the pet owner, provisions are necessary in the pet owner's will, to provide effectively for comfort and care for the pet.

2. Importantly, advance arrangements should be made to protect the pet during the period between the owner's death and the admission of the Will to probate.

3. In the event the pet owner is hospitalized or incapacitated, arrangements should be made to ensure the care of the pet. Pet owners should execute a durable power of attorney.

Some possible options for the well being of your pet include:
Planning for your Pets in your Will:
a) Designate caretakers
b) Designate a shelter or charitable organization to care for your pets
c) Make a conditional bequest during the transitional period
d) Establish an honorary trust
e) Provide funds for pet care
f) Provide for Euthanasia if caretakers cannot be found
1. Planning for Short-Term Pet Care:
a) Arrange for friends/relatives or charitable organizations to provide short-term care c) Emergency Instructions
b) Provide copies of instructions to an executor d) Durable Power of Attorney
In conclusion, the best way to assure proper care for a pet is to make both short-term and long-term arrangements for a pet now. Have a Will and Durable Power of Attorney drafted by a qualified attorney. Making such arrangements may entail effort on the part of the pet owner, but is important so that in the event of the owner's hospitalization, incapacity or death, the pet is cared for.