[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/protect-your-pets-after-youre-gone-white-plains-ny-greenwich-ct\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/protect-your-pets-after-youre-gone-white-plains-ny-greenwich-ct\/","headline":"Protect Your Pets After You\u2019re Gone","name":"Protect Your Pets After You\u2019re Gone","description":"\u201cTo ensure animals\u2019 well-being, you should pick a caregiver and set up paperwork, funding.\u201d Currently, 67% of American households own at least one pet, and many people now consider long-term planning for them just as important as they would for two-legged family members, says The Atlanta Journal Constitution in the article “When you\u2019re gone, what […]","datePublished":"2019-10-21","dateModified":"2023-07-29","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/author\/amorusolaw\/#Person","name":"Amoruso & Amoruso LLP","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/author\/amorusolaw\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/12de032c04195e9c39a06a6d6eea182f7b4fa655c20e245f8094a244b5cdd0cb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/12de032c04195e9c39a06a6d6eea182f7b4fa655c20e245f8094a244b5cdd0cb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amoruso & Amoruso LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/amoruso-logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/amoruso-logo.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/6a01901dd0a082970b0240a4933f85.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/6a01901dd0a082970b0240a4933f85.jpg","height":668,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/protect-your-pets-after-youre-gone-white-plains-ny-greenwich-ct\/","about":["Caregiver","Estate Planning","Pet Planning","Pet Trust"],"wordCount":610,"keywords":["Caregiver","Estate Planning","Pet Planning","Pet Trust"],"articleBody":"\u201cTo ensure animals\u2019 well-being, you should pick a caregiver and set up paperwork, funding.\u201dCurrently, 67% of American households own at least one pet, and many people now consider long-term planning for them just as important as they would for two-legged family members, says The Atlanta Journal Constitution in the article “When you\u2019re gone, what happens to your pets?“.If you think about it, our animal companions are completely vulnerable. They can\u2019t take care of themselves. If something happens to their owners, it is possible that they could be taken to a shelter and euthanized. If you don\u2019t want to be kept up at night worrying about this, a pet trust should be part of your conversation with an estate planning attorney.Pets are viewed as valued members of the family in many homes. They provide companionship, and there have been studies showing that their presence helps to reduce stress. They often sleep in the same bed as their owners and go on vacations with their human family.A 2018 Realtor.com survey found that 79% of millennials who purchased a home, said that they would pass on a home, no matter how perfect, if it did not meet the needs of their pets.How can you protect your pets?Understand that pets are considered property and have no legal rights. It\u2019s entirely up to their owners to plan for their care. Some questions to consider:What\u2019s the difference between a pet trust and a will?Do pet trust laws vary by state?Is a trust independent from a will?What happens to any funds left over, when the pet dies?Can you tap 401(k) or other retirement funds to care for a pet?To begin, look at the life expectancy of each pet and factor the average vet bill, food bill and any additional money in case of an emergency. The ASPCA says that the annual cost to care for a dog is between $737 to $1,404. Caring for a cat averages about $800. Of course, caring for cats or dogs depends upon the age, breed, weight and whether the animal has any medical needs. Some pets can live a very long time, like horses, and certain birds can live more than seventy years.Next, identify caregivers who will commit to caring for your pets. You should then talk with your estate planning attorney. If you rely on an informal plan, your pet may be out of luck, if something happens to the caregivers, or if they have a change of heart.A pet trust allows you to leave money to a loved one or friend to care for the pet in a trust that is legally binding. That means the money must be used for the pet\u2019s care. It can be very specific, including how often the pet should go to the vet and what its standard of living should be. The executor or lawyer could go to court to enforce the contract.Typically, the trustee holds property \u201cin trust\u201d for the benefit of the pet. Payments to a designated caregiver are made on a regular basis. The trust, depending upon the state in which it is established, continues for the life of the pet or 21 years, whichever comes first. Some states allow the pet trusts to continue beyond 21 years.Speak with your estate planning attorney about protecting your pet. You\u2019ll feel better knowing that you\u2019ve put a plan into place for your beloved furry friends.Reference: The Atlanta Journal Constitution (September 24, 2019) “When you\u2019re gone, what happens to your pets?”For more information on asset preservation and estate planning, please visit my estate planning website."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Protect Your Pets After You\u2019re Gone","item":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/protect-your-pets-after-youre-gone-white-plains-ny-greenwich-ct\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]