Only 17% of dog or cat owners have taken any
legal steps to provide for pets' care after their death, according to a recent
survey by the ASPCA. Most people simply assume that a friend or relative will
take care of their pet after they're gone, animal advocates say, and many pets
wind up in shelters when such ad hoc arrangements fall through.
When you plan for your estate,
you include the people you love and the property and/or assets you own. But
don’t forget about another part of planning – your pets! You still need to make
plans for any family members who have feathers, fins or fur.
A recent article in Kiplinger was a bit more blunt: “Put a Plan in Place to Ensure [for your] Pets'
Care.”
It is easy to forget about
planning for your pet or to simply assume someone will step in and care for
them. Unlike family heirlooms or bank accounts, other family members may not
step up to care for your pets. Even if they would like to, it may not work for
them financially, logistically, allergenically, or otherwise.
Unfortunately, things do not
always fall into place so easily when pets are at stake. In the end, providing
for your special friends is your last responsibility for them.
For more information and articles on
estate planning and elder law topics, please visit our website
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Reference: Kiplinger
(June 2013) “Put a Plan in Place to Ensure Pets' Care”