Ocala Pet Trust Attorney
For many people, a pet is more than just a four-legged creature that roams the home and gets fed twice a day; a pet is part of the family. Which is why planning for a pet’s care, both during your life and after your death, can feel so important. For many people, the idea of not being able to care for their pet because they are disabled, incapacitated, or have died is heartbreaking. While one option for assigning guardianship of a pet after death is to do so in a last will and testament, another way to ensure that a pet is cared for is to establish a pet trust. At the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A., our Ocala pet trusts attorney can help. Call today to learn more.
What Is a Pet Trust?
A pet trust, similar to a regular trust, is a legal arrangement where assets are held in the trust and managed by the trustee, who is responsible for distributing those assets per the terms of the trust and for a pet’s benefit. For example, funds that are within the trust may be used to pay for:
- Pet food;
- Veterinary bills;
- Costs of services for walking, boarding, training, etc.;
- Grooming costs; and
- Payments to the designated pet caregiver.
Why Create a Pet Trust?
While you may want to trust your favorite niece or your oldest son to care for your pet after you’re gone, especially if they’ve promised that they would, a pet trust provides more guidance, direction, and legal enforceability. Indeed, pet trusts are legally enforceable arrangements where the trustee has a duty to follow the terms of the trust. In addition to simply providing money for the care of a pet, a pet trust may also be accompanied with certain instructions regarding diet, medical care, pet preferences, etc. Creating a pet trust creates peace of mind that your pet will receive the high level of care that you’ve been providing, even when you’re no longer around. As a note, pet trusts can be used for a variety of pets; most commonly, this means cats and dogs, but can also be extended to turtles, parrots, and more.
Preparing to Establish a Pet Trust
If you are thinking about setting up a pet trust, it’s important to do your homework and get everything in order first. For example, make sure you have the information about your pet’s medical record, veterinarian, microchip number, etc. on hand. You’ll also need to think about your monthly/yearly pet expenses and how these might change as your pet ages.
Our Pet Trusts Attorney in Ocala Can Help
Establishing a pet trust may provide comfort and assurance that your best friend will continue to receive a high level of care after you’re gone, and that paying for that care won’t be an issue. At the Law Offices of Shea A. Fugate, P.A., our Ocala pet trusts attorney is here to help you set up a pet trust that works for you and your pet. Call today to learn more.
