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PLANNING A FUTURE FOR YOUR PET AFTER YOU ARE GONE

Make sure your pet is taken care of immediately after your death or in the event of an emergency like hospitalization. Ensure the basics such as-

  • A local, trusted acquaintance has access to your home, instructions on how to care for your pet, contact information for vet, and special instructions for medications or diet.
  • Funds available, if needed, for immediate care

Under the law, pets are considered property.

Indicate who your pet will go to in your will to ensure that person can legally claim ownership.

  • Confirm that person or organization agrees to take your animal.
  • Leave money to the pet's new caretaker to care for the pet.
  • Name an alternate pet caretaker in the event circumstances change and your first choice is unable to take your animal.
  • If you do not have a will and have an heir that will inherit your property, an advance agreement with your heir regarding your wishes for your pet is wise.

More information about the benefit of wills and estate planning can be found at Mass Mutual's wills and the basics of Estate Planning (opens in a new tab)

Providing for the Future of Your Pet

  • If you have a pet insurance policy, check to see if it's transferable to a new pet
    caretaker.
  • Consider leaving enough money to care for your pet through its lifetime if you can afford to do it. This can vary depending on the breed from $15,000 -$25,000 or more.
  • You may be able to assign your life insurance policy to the care of your pets.
  • Consider creating a Pet Trust.
  • A pet trust creates a legal requirement that provides oversight to ensure the designated money is spent as you have directed it.
  • Can indicate your wishes for the specific care of your animals-brands of food, preferred socialization, and lifestyle

More information about the benefits of a Pet Trust can be found at: ASPCA Pet Trust Primer (opens in a new tab)

Arizona: A.RS.§ 14-10408, (§ 14-2907): Year of Enactment: 2008, ( 1994) Amended: (2009)
Summary of law: A trust may be created for the care of an animal or animal alive during the settler's lifetime. The trust terminates upon the death of the animal, or upon the death of the last surviving animal covered by the trust.