Pet planning is something which every pet owner needs to consider. When you assume responsibility for a pet, it is up to you to make sure you can care for the animal. A part of this involves making plans for what will happen to that animal if something unexpected should happen to you.
Frank & Kraft helps clients with all different types of pet plans, from making simple provisions for the care of your pet to establishing a trust to provide financially for all of your animal’s needs after you are gone. Give us a call today at at (317) 684-1100 to find out about the personalized pet planning services we can offer to you and to get answers to questions including:
- What is involved in pet planning?
- When should you talk with a lawyer about pet planning?
- How can an Indianapolis pet planning lawyer help you?
What is Involved in Pet Planning?
Pet planning involves making arrangements for what will happen to your pet in the event you become unable to provide a stable home and appropriate care. Pets may sometimes outlive their owners, or there may be a situation where the owner of a pet becomes incapacitated by illness or injury and is no longer able to provide for the animal. In these situations, pets become very vulnerable if advanced plans have not been made.
The specifics of your pet plan can vary, but the goal is always the same: to make sure your animal will be provided with care no matter what happens to you. At its most basic level, this will involve naming a guardian for your pet and making sure the person is able to take over the care of the animal and provide a safe home.
You should always talk with the person who you wish to serve as your pet guardian and make sure they are able to take on the role. You should also consider naming a backup guardian in case unforeseen events occur which would render your first choice unable to bring the animal into his home in the future.
The care of an animal can be costly, especially if you want to ensure your pet is provided with the best of medical care and is also able to receive special treats or enjoy experiences. As a result, some people will go further with their pet plan and will make provisions to leave money for the care of their pet. If you do this, you could leave money to the pet’s guardian in your will. However, if you want more control over how the money is used and you want to make absolutely certain that the property you leave behind is only used to care for the animal, then you may wish to create a trust.
When you name a trust, you create a trust document which provides detailed instructions. You can even specify the money is to be used to provide a certain type of food or treats. The trustee will have a fiduciary duty to follow your instructions and to only use the trust assets for the care of your pet. By taking this additional step to create a trust, you can provide the best possible quality of your life for your animal even in an uncertain future.
When Should You Talk with a Lawyer About Pet Planning?
You should talk with a lawyer about pet planning as soon as you bring an animal into your home. You never know when something unexpected could occur, causing an untimely death or leading to your hospitalization or admission to a nursing home. If no plans have been made for your pet, it may be too late and your animal could be left uncared for and even left homeless or forced to go into a shelter.
You are responsible for the care of your animal, so when you have brought a pet into your home, it is a smart choice to make a phone call to a lawyer right away about pet planning.
How can an Indianapolis Pet Planning Lawyer Help You?
An Indianapolis pet planning lawyer at Frank & Kraft can offer invaluable assistance with the pet planning process. If you want to make sure that your animal companion is always provided with a safe and loving home and with the treats that make your pet’s life enjoyable, give us a call today at at (317) 684-1100 or contact us online. We will help with the entire pet planning process so you’ll have the security of knowing your animal companion will be kept safe always.
