More Americans Are Writing Their Pets Into Their Wills

Wall Street Journal ^ | Jan 12, 2014 | Anne Tergesen

[Innovative]

The number of Americans owning pets is at a record high, and more people are making provisions in their wills to provide for these animals after they're gone.

But to ensure your pet is cared for as you intend, it's important to set up a pet trust—an arrangement that 46 states permit.

"Pet trusts aren't just for the wealthy," says Frances Carlisle, a trust and estates attorney in New York. For most pet owners, she adds, the goal "is to make sure a plan exists for the care of the animal."

Pet trusts can take effect either after you die or while you're alive. The latter provides for care of the pet in the event you suffer an accident or illness that leaves you unable to take care of your animal.

[Stormdog]

“Especially if you have a parrot, like me.”

I’m glad to see that I’m not alone here. My parrot has another 35 to 40 years to go. I don’t.

We made arrangements also.

[TexasFreeper2009]

It may sounds kind of silly, but this is really an issue. Pet of dead owners can end up in the pound or completely abandoned if arrangements haven’t been made beforehand.

[blueunicorn6]

How much money are we talking about here? If it’s a lot, have you ever thought about adopting an older child? Perhaps one who is older than you? I’m not as good as a cat, but on the plus side, I can play the harmonica.

[RedStateRocker]

A macaw with a house in Santa Rosa CA and one in the Bitterroot Valley. But people will be wondering in 75 years why he is saying “F*** Clinton”)

[Gefn]

I know. That was what I was worried about too. I’ve read about too many horror stories, and was afraid that would happen to my pet.

[jumpingcholla34]

Some people prefer their pets to fellow humans.

Before my mother died, she requested that her ashes be mingled with those of her nasty, deceased dog. She had four ex-husbands by then -- she dumped two of them and buried the other two, who probably had willed their own deaths. She couldn't get along with anything that went about on two legs.

My sister and I did as she asked. My sister later said: "If only we'd been dogs, what a great childhood we would have had."

[Innovative]

This is not the case to leave a huge estate to the pet — but it is only prudent to separate out some funds specifically for the care of the pet and name someone, with whom you made prior arrangement, to take care of them, as well as include something additional for the trouble. Otherwise even relatives or people you think you can trust and leave them your estate may just dump your dear beloved pet at a shelter, where it may well be euthanized.

In many cases pets are more deserving than people — they never criticize, they just love you unconditionally — it’s only reasonable to make sure they are taken care of, after you are gone and not leave it to chance or someone’s whim.

[Gefn]

Lol! If you had asked me a year ago I would have said a lot but I’m afraid with the stock market how much is vapor money?

On the other hand, the harmonica is good, I’m learning how to play guitar.

[Slings and Arrows]

[woodro43]

Good thing I named my parents cat after myself

[SamAdams76]

I decree that upon my death, my dog shall receive all bacon and cheese that is remaining in my refrigerator.

[Innovative]

“I decree that upon my death, my dog shall receive all bacon and cheese that is remaining in my refrigerator.”

And what happens to them after that food is gone?

[Hot Tabasco]

I have a note on my refrigerator that says:

"In the event of my death and someone is in my home reading this note, I have a cat that is likely hiding under my bed. And if I'm found dead in the house, I've likely been dead for several months so please feed her first then find her a good home..."

[Salamander]

My mother would have mine killed in half a heartbeat.

[Nepeta]

For everyone waxing nostalgic about the good old days when people didn't concern themselves over the fate of their animals, you're welcome to return to such an age...

An age when pets without pedigrees had less value in a court of law than a cinder block, and one spouse could terrorize the other by killing or threatening to kill a pet. Now, such behavior is recognized for what it is.

An age when animal abuse was seen as unpleasant, but perhaps amusing to certain people. Now we know that creeps who torment and kill small animals sometimes graduate to killing people, and doing horrible things to the neighbor's animals is now a crime in many places.

A slightly earlier age, perhaps, when it was claimed that animals did not feel pain as humans did. Black Beauty was originally written to protest this belief.

People reveal their character in the way they treat others under their control, or dependent on them. The celebrity who is needlessly rude to service people is rightly considered churlish. The child abuser--and I mean real child abuse--is not tolerated anymore. Beating your wife or ignoring your ailing grandfather is not tolerated. And the people who abuse their pets, the ones who leave their dogs out in subzero weather, the ones who leave their horses only green water to drink should not be tolerated, either.

Making provisions for your animals is just an extension of the care you gave them in life, not an indicator of cultural doom.

[TexasRepublic]

+1

[Innovative]

“Making provisions for your animals is just an extension of the care you gave them in life, not an indicator of cultural doom.”

Excellent post!