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One estate planning tool is a durable general power of attorney. This document permits your “agent” to conduct business/transactions and attend to your financial affairs, if you become incapacitated. Your durable power of attorney should include instructions regarding taking care of your pet and the amount necessary to provide such care.
If you have no will or trust, your pet would pass to your “heirs.” This may not be your wish. Therefore, you should consider drafting a provision in your will or trust for your pet. The terms could include expenditures for food, shelter, medication, veterinary care, toys, pet-sitting, and costs for the disposition of your pet’s remains. Also, clearly set forth the circumstances when euthanizing, or not, would be appropriate for your pet. Additionally, a major purpose of using such a provision is to provide a check on the caretaker of your pet. Therefore, if the caretaker is not providing adequate care, then the caretaker may be removed and replaced by another.
[1] Note: This document is meant for the clients of The Law Offices of Jerold E. Rothkoff. Before acting on any information presented here, you are strongly urged to consult with an attorney who is competent in this area of the law.