Skip to content
  • Call For a Consultation (602) 932-3187
Contact Us
  • Call For a Consultation

(602) 932-3187

estate planning law firm
  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Becoming a Client
    • Our Story
    • Our Approach & Values
    • Meet the Team
    • Client Testimonials
  • PROTECT MY FAMILY
    • Estate Planning
    • Wills and Trusts
    • Power of Attorney
    • Deeds & Real Estate Transfers
  • Specialized Planning
    • Minor Children
    • Special Needs Trusts
    • Asset Protection Planning
    • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Elder Care
    • Long term Care
    • Medicaid (ALTCS)
    • Guardianship
  • Probate
    • Do I Need Probate?
    • Avoiding Probate
    • Trust Administration
  • Business Planning
    • Business Formations
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Operating Agreements
    • Employment Agreements
  • Resources
    • Estate Planning Blog
      • Estate Planning
      • Elder Law
      • Probate
      • Business Succession
      • Guardianship
    • Videos & Recordings
    • Seminars & Webinars
    • Free Estate Planning Masterclass
    • Educational Library
    • Estate Planning Resources For Professional Advisors
    • FAQs
    • Media Room
  • Contact Us
    • Schedule Strategy Session
    • Office Locations
  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Becoming a Client
    • Our Story
    • Our Approach & Values
    • Meet the Team
    • Client Testimonials
  • PROTECT MY FAMILY
    • Estate Planning
    • Wills and Trusts
    • Power of Attorney
    • Deeds & Real Estate Transfers
  • Specialized Planning
    • Minor Children
    • Special Needs Trusts
    • Asset Protection Planning
    • Irrevocable Trusts
  • Elder Care
    • Long term Care
    • Medicaid (ALTCS)
    • Guardianship
  • Probate
    • Do I Need Probate?
    • Avoiding Probate
    • Trust Administration
  • Business Planning
    • Business Formations
    • Business Succession Planning
    • Operating Agreements
    • Employment Agreements
  • Resources
    • Estate Planning Blog
      • Estate Planning
      • Elder Law
      • Probate
      • Business Succession
      • Guardianship
    • Videos & Recordings
    • Seminars & Webinars
    • Free Estate Planning Masterclass
    • Educational Library
    • Estate Planning Resources For Professional Advisors
    • FAQs
    • Media Room
  • Contact Us
    • Schedule Strategy Session
    • Office Locations

Should You have a Pet Trust Created?

Serving Clients in the Gilbert, Arizona Area

Should You have a Pet Trust Created?
  • May 30, 2023
  • Estate Planning, Power of Attorney, Wills & Trusts
Gilbert Arizona estate planning attorney

BY: Jake Carlson

Jake Carlson is an estate planning attorney, recognized business leader, inspiring presenter, and popular podcast host. He is personable and connects immediately with others. A natural storyteller, he loves listening to your story and exploring what matters most to you.

Get To Know Jake
Please Share!
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Specialized pet trust law has developed because of the huge popularity of pets in this country, and the strong desire of pet owners to provide for their pets, even after the owner's death.
  • Scroll Down to Read Article

The infamous Leona Helmsley was the subject of as many headlines after her death as when she was alive, mainly because she left millions in trust for her dog, “Trouble.” However, you don’t have to have millions to want to protect your faithful pet’s future in the event of your passing, according to a recent article, “Pet Trusts Are Worth the ‘Trouble’” from Wealth Management.

Pets are legally considered the personal property of their owner, in the same way, one owns a house or a car. If no planning has been done, your heirs can inherit the ownership of your pet. However, they won’t be required to care for your pet. Instead, they can take the pet to a local shelter or, as often happens, abandon it. However, there are steps you can take to protect your animal companion.

Ask two friends or relatives if they would be willing to serve as emergency and/or long-term caretakers. Provide them with contact information for your veterinarian, discuss your wishes about what should happen to your pet and make sure they have each other’s contact information. Have a frank discussion of how expenses will be covered and stay in touch with them. Circumstances can change over time; if they move, have a health issue, or can’t manage the care of your pet, you’ll want to know about it.

Planning for pets has both legal and financial considerations. A pet trust may be created as part of a living trust or as a stand-alone trust. The named trustee has access to funds, and the language of the trust includes directions as to how funds should be used for your pet and how to distribute any remaining funds upon the death of your pet. Pet trusts are now valid in all states.

Note that a verbal agreement to care for your pet may not be legally enforceable. Therefore, you may prefer to use a pet trust. While you can put a provision in your will for the care of your pet, unlike a trust arrangement, there is no continuing obligation for the executor under a will to ensure the pet’s well-being once the estate administration is completed. Instead, you’ll have to count on the moral commitment of the caregiver to take care of your pet.

Planning for your protection shows why a pet trust is a good idea. For example, your Power of Attorney names an agent to act on your behalf in the event of your own physical or mental incapacity. It is possible to include specific funds in a Power of Attorney to maintain and support companion animals. However, this terminates on your death. A trust remains in effect for as long as the terms dictate, whether you are incapacitated or deceased.

Another option is to make arrangements with a humane society or animal rescue group to take possession and care of your pet. This may require making a specific donation to the group and having confidence that the organization will be operational as long as your pet lives.

Speak with your estate planning attorney about your state’s rules on pet trusts and plan for yourself and your beloved animal companion. You’ll then rest easy knowing you are both protected.

To learn more about estate planning in the East Valley, Gilbert, Mesa and Queen Creek, schedule your free consultation with Attorney Jake Carlson by using one of the links above.

Reference: Wealth Management (April 14, 2023) “Pet Trusts Are Worth the ‘Trouble’”

PrevPreviousUse Estate Planning to Prepare for Cognitive Decline
NextWhat Do I Do If I’ve Lost an Important Document?Next
Subscribe!

Recent Posts
  • Why Timeshares are One of the Worst Assets to Inherit
  • Do I Need Estate and Retirement Plans If I Don’t Have Kids?
  • Will Your Digital Life Outlive You?
  • Resources for Children with Developmental Disabilities
  • Protecting Your Business with Life Insurance
Categories
  • Advanced Directives
  • ALTCs
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Asset Protection
  • Business Formations
  • Business Succession
  • Charitable Planning
  • Dementia
  • Elder Law
  • Estate Administration
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Tax
  • Guardianship
  • Life Insurance
  • Medicaid
  • Medicare
  • News
  • Power of Attorney
  • Probate
  • Retirement
  • Social Security
  • Special Needs
  • Trust Administration
  • Uncategorized
  • Wills & Trusts

Contact Us

All fields marked with an “ * ” are required

Practice Areas

Conservatorship Lawyer Mesa, AZ
End-Of-Life Planning Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Estate Planning Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Guardianship Lawyer Mesa, AZ

Wills And Trusts Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Living Will Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Business Formation Lawyer Mesa, AZ

Estate Administration Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Asset Protection Lawyer Mesa, AZ
Living Trust Lawyer Mesa, AZ

estate planning law firm
Facebook-f Twitter Linkedin-in Youtube Instagram Rss

Our Mesa Office

2500 S Power Road
Bldg 14
Suite 132
Mesa, AZ 85209

New Clients: (602) 932-3187

Existing Clients: (480) 400-0111

Our Gilbert Office

1425 S. Higley Road #106
Gilbert, AZ 85296

Copyright © 2025 – LifePlan Legal AZ. All rights reserved. Some artwork provided under license agreement. Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Sitemap