You can't leave money or other kinds of property to your pet. The law says animals are property, and one piece of property can't own another piece of property. However, you can plan to make sure that your pet has a good life after you die. Use your estate plan to make sure that:

1. your pet goes to a caring person or organization, and

2. the new caretaker has the resources to provide good care.

I am NOT an Attorney, and am NOT providing legal advice. Please seek a licensed lawyer to answer any questions about this process you may have.

Options for Estate Planning for Pets

When planning for your pet's life after your death, you have a range of options – from making simple, non-legal arrangement, to making a complex trust, to leaving your pet with an organization dedicated to taking care of pets after an owner's death.

To make any of these arrangements, you need to find a person or organization that you trust to care for your pet. And that person or organization needs to be willing to do it. So, no matter which option you choose, have a candid conversation with your pet's potential caretaker about how to care for your pet and how expenses will be met.

Pets in Your Will

Again, you can't use your will to leave money or property to your pet. If you try, that money or property will be included in your residuary estate.

However, you can use your will or living trust to leave your pet—and money to care for your pet—to a trusted caretaker.

An Example in your will could be:

“I leave my black lab mix, Sarah, and my estate to “My Full Name” with the hope that the money will be used for Sarah's care and maintenance.”

What If You Don't Make a Plan?

If you don't make arrangements for your pet in your estate plan, who will get your pet depends on what other arrangements you've made, or not made. If you have made a will, your pet will go to your residuary beneficiary—that is, the person you've name to get the remainder of your estate after any specific gifts have been doled out.

If you haven't made will, all of your property (including your pet) will be distributed according to the laws of your state, through intestate succession. In many cases your pets will go to an animal shelter.

Work with a licenced attorney specializing in wills and trusts. They can advise you on options for creating and legally implementing your will or trust.

At the end of the day I wish what I am advertising for pet owners and what I hope to create was never needed. I wish we all outlived our pets o they were immortal, but unfortunately life can have unexpected events and I hope to be there in your pets time of need.