For many of us, our pets are more than just animals; they’re a member of the family.
Despite this, when making a Will, pets are often overlooked and left without a clear plan for their future.
This can lead to distress not only for your pet, but also for the people left behind.
Sometimes a relative or friend may volunteer to look after your pets. But it’s not just about who takes them in, it’s also about how they’re provided for.
You might be surprised to learn that pets are legally considered “assets” of your estate.
This means that they cannot directly receive money or property, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t plan ahead to provide for their care and wellbeing.
Ways You Can Plan For Your Pet’s Future In Your Will
- Appointing a caregiver – Name someone you trust to take care of your pet. Remember to ensure they are aware of and agree to their role.
- Leaving a set sum of money – You can set aside a specific sum of money for your chosen caregiver, earmarked for pet care.
- Setting up a pet trust – Yes, it has been done, most famously by Karl Lagerfeld who left his estate in trust for his cat.
- Writing a letter of wishes – A letter to accompany your Will, detailing routines, preferences, medical needs etc. It’s not a legal document, but very useful nonetheless.
If you need support preparing or updating your Will, our will-writing solicitors can help ensure your wishes are properly recorded.
Other Options For Pet Care
There are some charities that offer services to help when there is no one else available:
The Cinnamon Trust offer a Pet Profiling service to record information about your pets and their needs. In an emergency, this helps ensure care stays consistent.
They also provide lifelong care if no one else can.
RSPCA’s “Home For Life” scheme promises to find a new, loving home for a pet if the owner dies.
For wider planning considerations, our estate planning solicitors can help you organise your affairs with peace of mind.
Contact Us About Pets in Wills
At Monan Gozzett, we understand how much your pets mean to you.
If you would like help with drafting or updating your will to provide for your pets, we are here to guide you.
Call our team on 0207 936 6329, or email info@monangozzett.com to book an appointment with the Private Client team.
We have an office in Arundel, West Sussex, and additional offices across the UK, including London, Manchester, Yorkshire, Surrey and Hampshire.
Please note that we are unable to offer free legal advice. Our client services team are here to take your case details and explain any costs involved
If you would like to speak to our expert legal team about this, or any related subject then please contact our team by phone on 0207 936 6329, Email or by completing our Quick Contact Form below.
Please note that we are unable to offer free legal advice. Our client services team are here to take your case details and explain any costs involved