Frost Law
As the holidays quickly approach, we are all familiar with the typical goings-on—family meals, festive lights, decorations, and cozy nights wrapped up in your favorite blanket. While you’re bundled up this winter, you may be joined by an old, familiar, furry friend. You may even have a new little pup come Christmas Day. Old or young, our pets are in our lives and make the holidays even more merry and bright.
Your pets, just like your other loved ones, rely on you to make sure they are protected, loved, and cared for. If you have ever thought “what would I do without you, (insert incredibly adorable pet name)”, the question you might want to ask is “what would they do without me?”.
The answer is simple. While you are doing your estate planning, consider using a pet trust. Using a Pet Trust as part of your estate planning ensures that you are leaving your pet in good hands of your choice, not what your family would decide for you.
We all know that with the holiday season, with all the love and joy that comes around, sometimes that time with family can be a strain and leave us exhausted. Now, imagine the holiday season where one family member wins the custody battle of your pet, and now that’s their go-to dinner table conversation for every holiday to come. No one wants that kind of Scrooge at the family dinner.
Give yourself peace of mind this holiday season knowing your beloved pet will be cared for if the unexpected happens. Call our estate attorneys today at (410) 497-5947 or fill out our form to get the process started.
A pet trust, or Trusts for Care of Animal (its more formal name), is a trust that allows for the naming of a guardian of your pets and allows for funds to be distributed for their care. Animals can be expensive, and the person who may be the most loving person or closest to your pet may not be the person who has the funds to take care of them. A pet trust allows the freedom to choose whoever will be the right person to take care of your pet without financially burdening them.
Imagine, on Christmas morning, your dog comes prancing around the corner and smells the faint aroma of treats emanating from the cutest little stocking. You’ve got gifts for your pet, and they are ready to receive them!
Unfortunately, the law doesn’t play by the same rules as your stocking stuffers. Pets are not legally allowed to receive outright gifts, and even if they could, they don’t have the opposable thumbs to swipe a credit card at the vet’s office.
A pet trust is a legal tool that allows an animal to be a beneficiary of your funds, where otherwise they would not. Your Christmas wish can come true, and your appointed trustee can make sure your dog has a stocking full of treats for years to come after you’re gone.
The first step is to always let your estate planning attorney know that you have pets! Your estate plan cannot account for loved ones (animals and humans alike) that your attorney doesn’t know about. Once your attorney knows that you’re interested in a trust to protect your pets, you’ll need to make some choices:
As you are snuggling with your pets this holiday, remember that the love and care they show to you is the love and care you should show to them. Pet trusts are the perfect gift to get your animal to make sure they stay protected for years to come.
Ensure your pet’s continued comfort and happiness. Our experienced estate planning attorneys can help you establish a pet trust tailored to the needs of you and your pet. Call our estate planning attorneys today at (410) 497-5947 or fill out our form here to get started on a pet trust.
As the holidays quickly approach, we are all familiar with the typical goings-on—family meals, festive lights, decorations, and cozy nights wrapped up in your favorite blanket. While you’re bundled up this winter, you may be joined by an old, familiar, furry friend. You may even have a new little pup come Christmas Day. Old or young, our pets are in our lives and make the holidays even more merry and bright.
Your pets, just like your other loved ones, rely on you to make sure they are protected, loved, and cared for. If you have ever thought “what would I do without you, (insert incredibly adorable pet name)”, the question you might want to ask is “what would they do without me?”.
The answer is simple. While you are doing your estate planning, consider using a pet trust. Using a Pet Trust as part of your estate planning ensures that you are leaving your pet in good hands of your choice, not what your family would decide for you.
We all know that with the holiday season, with all the love and joy that comes around, sometimes that time with family can be a strain and leave us exhausted. Now, imagine the holiday season where one family member wins the custody battle of your pet, and now that’s their go-to dinner table conversation for every holiday to come. No one wants that kind of Scrooge at the family dinner.
Give yourself peace of mind this holiday season knowing your beloved pet will be cared for if the unexpected happens. Call our estate attorneys today at (410) 497-5947 or fill out our form to get the process started.
A pet trust, or Trusts for Care of Animal (its more formal name), is a trust that allows for the naming of a guardian of your pets and allows for funds to be distributed for their care. Animals can be expensive, and the person who may be the most loving person or closest to your pet may not be the person who has the funds to take care of them. A pet trust allows the freedom to choose whoever will be the right person to take care of your pet without financially burdening them.
Imagine, on Christmas morning, your dog comes prancing around the corner and smells the faint aroma of treats emanating from the cutest little stocking. You’ve got gifts for your pet, and they are ready to receive them!
Unfortunately, the law doesn’t play by the same rules as your stocking stuffers. Pets are not legally allowed to receive outright gifts, and even if they could, they don’t have the opposable thumbs to swipe a credit card at the vet’s office.
A pet trust is a legal tool that allows an animal to be a beneficiary of your funds, where otherwise they would not. Your Christmas wish can come true, and your appointed trustee can make sure your dog has a stocking full of treats for years to come after you’re gone.
The first step is to always let your estate planning attorney know that you have pets! Your estate plan cannot account for loved ones (animals and humans alike) that your attorney doesn’t know about. Once your attorney knows that you’re interested in a trust to protect your pets, you’ll need to make some choices:
As you are snuggling with your pets this holiday, remember that the love and care they show to you is the love and care you should show to them. Pet trusts are the perfect gift to get your animal to make sure they stay protected for years to come.
Ensure your pet’s continued comfort and happiness. Our experienced estate planning attorneys can help you establish a pet trust tailored to the needs of you and your pet. Call our estate planning attorneys today at (410) 497-5947 or fill out our form here to get started on a pet trust.
