Pet owners should not overlook the need to include pet planning in their overall estate plan. If you pass away without a pet plan, the consequences are not good. Unfortunately, you cannot simply name a beneficiary for your pet. Instead, more specific plans need to be made to ensure that the caregiver will be legally bound by the terms you set, and the financial support needed to care for your pet will be secure. If you are wondering, what should a pet plan include, let our trust attorneys … [Read more...]
Check Out the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services for a New Pet
If you are not familiar with the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, its mission is to “Promote and Protect the Health, Safety and Welfare of Animals and People in the City of Los Angeles.” The department offers a wide range of services related to adopting pets, finding lost pets, licensing animals as required, animal vaccinations. The Department of Animal Services can also provide spaying and neutering, and microchipping.Looking for a new pet or to rescue a needy animal?The Los … [Read more...]
Los Angeles Clear the Shelters Event Helps Pets Find Homes
Earlier this summer, the Citadel Outlets in Los Angeles hosted the Clear the Shelters event where many animals were available for same day adoptions at reduced adoption rates. The 2016 Clear the Shelters event is the second year of this highly successful effort to find homes for pets all over Southern California. Last year, the even led to over 2,500 pets finding new homes.All of the participating animal shelters in Southern California offer a reduced adoption fee of $20. NBC4 and … [Read more...]
Wills and Pet Estate Planning
It wasn’t very long ago that the idea of including family pets in an estate plan was and odd idea. Times have certainly changed. A survey conducted back in 2006 shows that nearly 70% of families consider their pets as family members, not property. Unfortunately, the law still considers pets to be property, which means estate planning attorneys have become efficient at creating ways to provide for these beloved “family members” in the best way legally possible. Different methods have different … [Read more...]
Consequences of Not Having a Pet Plan
Pet owners know the important role their beloved pets play in their lives and the lives of their families. When a pet has been a part of your family for many years, it is important to consider the future of your pet, should you become incapacitated or pass away, and your pet survives you. In order to understand the importance of prior planning, you must understand the consequences of not having a pet plan in place, upon your death.Where does your pet go after your death?If you do not have … [Read more...]
Alternatives to Pet Trusts
The love and companionship of a family pet are truly a blessing. So, planning for your pet’s future is just as important to your overall estate plan as the other provisions you include. While pet trusts are very common, there are alternatives to pet trusts that may be better suited to your needs.Types of pet estate planningThere are three basic methods of creating a pet estate plan: trusts, will provisions and pet care agreements. Pet trusts, like general trusts, create a relationship … [Read more...]
What is a Pet Trust?
Contrary to what you may have heard in the media, proper pet estate planning is not as simple as leaving money for your pet in your will. Even a more detailed pet care provision in a will may not be sufficient to secure your pet’s future after your death. If you want to be sure that your pet will be cared for properly after your death, or even if you become incapacitated for some reason, a pet trust may be the best choice.What exactly is a pet trust?A pet trust is created and operates the … [Read more...]
Which Should I Choose? Pet Trust or Pet Protection Agreement?
There is a misconception among some pet owners, that pet planning is as easy as including a provision in your will. The reality is, if you really want to protect your pet’s future and be assured that your wishes for your beloved friend will be fulfilled after your death or incapacity, you may need to consider other pet planning options, such as a pet trust or pet protection agreement.What is a pet trust?A pet trust is established and operated much like any other trust. A trust account is … [Read more...]
The Benefits of Pet Insurance
Life insurance is often included as part of an estate plan. Pet insurance can also be included as part of your pet estate plan. Pet plans can be created using will provisions, trust agreements or pet protection agreements. Regardless of the method of pet planning you choose, you can incorporate pet insurance for added protection. Pet insurance is a practical way to provide for your pet’s future, as long as you consider the effects it may have on other components of your overall estate … [Read more...]
Have You Included Disaster Planning in Your Pet Estate Plan?
Severe weather may be what you are used to, depending on which part of the country you reside. Even so, our entire country has been getting a taste of unexpected extreme weather in the last few years. When sever weather hits and devastates an area, like Hurricane Katrina, pet owners have an added burden of trying to save their pets, as well. If you and your family are scrambling to find shelter, what will happen to your pets? It is important to have an emergency plan, not just for ourselves, … [Read more...]
