Pets in Wills

How to provide for pets is an increasingly regular question in estate planning. Most wills make no mention of pets. Often relatives adopt pets when there is no provision for them. However, this is not always the case, leaving pets in limbo.

Some options to ensure your pets are properly cared include…

Gifting your pet to someone

In Australia law pets are considered property. This gift your pet to a friend, family member, or charity (such as the RSPCA). You should discuss the gift in advance to ensure they are willing to adopt your pet. This also allows you to set expectations in how your pet is to be cared for.

You can give money with your pet to cover expenses such as food, insurance, and veterinary bills. When calculating the gift, consider the breed and estimated life expectancy of your pet.

Establishing a trust

Another option is to create a trust in your Will for your pet. You nominate the trustee who will manage the trust assets for the care of your pet during its lifetime. The trustee covers expenses for the care of your pet or distributes funds directly to the carers. The trustee should be someone who will act in your pet’s best interests. You may wish to nominate the executors in your Will as trustees.

You are most welcome to contact us if you have any questions on how to provide for your pets. We offer fixed fee services and there is no charge to chat.