• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Call us today for help!  (631) 265-0599
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Eghrari-Logo

Long Island Elder Law & Estate Planning

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Resources
    • Client Resources
      • Definitions
      • Docubank
      • Elder Law Resources
        • Brentwood Elder Law
        • Central Islip Elder Law
        • Commack Elder Law
        • Hauppage Elder Law
        • Smithtown Elder Law
      • Estate Planning Resources
        • Estate Planning Check Up
        • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
        • Estate Planning Techniques
        • Estate Planning Worksheet
        • FREE Estate Planning Seminars
        • Long Island Estate Planning Resources
      • New York Medicaid Resources
        • Medicaid Planning Worksheet
      • Nursing Home Resources
      • Probate Resources
        • Brentwood Probate
        • Central Islip Probate
        • Commack Probate
        • Hauppage Probate
        • Smithtown Probate
        • Suffolk County Probate Resources & Checklist
      • Presentations
      • Retirement Planning Checklist
      • Trust Administration Resources
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Business Planning
      • Estate Planning
      • Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid Planning
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration
      • Trust Administration & Probate
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Reports
  • Estate Planning
    • Asset Protection & Business Planning
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Family-Owned Businesses
    • Incapacity Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Young Families
  • Elder Law
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
  • Areas We Serve
    • Long Island
    • Nassau County
      • Oyster Bay
    • Suffolk County
      • Brentwood
      • Central Islip
      • Commack
      • Hauppauge
      • Smithtown
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Mobile Menu

  • Home
  • Who We Are
    • About Our Firm
    • Meet Our Team
  • Resources
    • Client Resources
      • Definitions
      • Docubank
      • Elder Law Resources
        • Brentwood Elder Law
        • Central Islip Elder Law
        • Commack Elder Law
        • Hauppage Elder Law
        • Smithtown Elder Law
      • Estate Planning Resources
        • Estate Planning Check Up
        • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
        • Estate Planning Techniques
        • Estate Planning Worksheet
        • FREE Estate Planning Seminars
        • Long Island Estate Planning Resources
      • New York Medicaid Resources
        • Medicaid Planning Worksheet
      • Nursing Home Resources
      • Probate Resources
        • Brentwood Probate
        • Central Islip Probate
        • Commack Probate
        • Hauppage Probate
        • Smithtown Probate
        • Suffolk County Probate Resources & Checklist
      • Presentations
      • Retirement Planning Checklist
      • Trust Administration Resources
    • Elder Law Reports
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Business Planning
      • Estate Planning
      • Families Without an Estate Plan
      • Incapacity Planning
      • LGBTQ Estate Planning
      • Medicaid Planning
      • Probate
      • Trust Administration
      • Trust Administration & Probate
      • Wills and Trusts
    • Reports
  • Estate Planning
    • Asset Protection & Business Planning
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Family-Owned Businesses
    • Incapacity Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration & Probate
    • Young Families
  • Elder Law
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
  • Areas We Serve
    • Long Island
    • Nassau County
      • Oyster Bay
    • Suffolk County
      • Brentwood
      • Central Islip
      • Commack
      • Hauppauge
      • Smithtown
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Puppy Love: Planning Your Estate With a Pet Trust

Increasingly, pet owners are not just worried about providing for our pets during our lifetimes, we want to ensure that they get all the love and care they need after we’re gone, too. This article discusses the estate planning benefits a Pet Trust can provide for your furry and feathered animal companions.

March 31, 2011 //  by Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm

Compliments of Our Law Firm,
By: The American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys

We love our pets. Each year, Americans spend billions upon billions of dollars to make sure that our dogs, cats, and assorted other animal friends are well taken care of. The American Pet Products Association estimates that in 2010, Americans spent more than $18 billion on pet food, more than $11 billion on medications and supplies, and more than $12 billion on veterinary care.

Increasingly, pet owners are not just worried about providing for our pets during our lifetimes, we want to ensure that they get all the love and care they need after we’re gone, too. This is evidenced by the fact that an increasing number of states have passed laws allowing pet owners to establish trusts for their pets.

The Old Way Wasn’t Enough

It used to be that those who wanted to provide for their pets after passing away simply used their Will to name a caregiver for the pet, and left funds to that caregiver to cover the pet’s expenses. This solution, however, proved to be less than ideal in many circumstances. At the pet owner’s death, the pet belonged to the new caregiver, as did the owner’s bequest of money. The new caregiver was under no obligation to spend the funds on the pet. In fact, there was no obligation for the caregiver to even keep the pet. In addition, the arrangement only provided for the pet after the owner’s death. It didn’t provide a way to make sure the pet was taken care of in the event of the owner’s disability.

How Does a Pet Trust Work?

Unlike these older arrangements that left a pet’s future uncertain, a pet trust provides checks and balances to help make sure that, in the event of your death or disability, your pet is cared for according to your wishes and standards.

When you establish a pet trust, you’ll name a caregiver for your pet, as well as backup caregivers. The caregiver is responsible for taking care of your pet according to the instructions you build into the trust. For instance, you can provide directions for your pet’s diet and feeding schedule, veterinary care, exercise, grooming, and the disposition of your pet’s remains.

You’ll also name a trustee and backup trustees. The trustee’s job is to manage the money you put in trust for your pet’s care, and to help ensure that the caregiver is performing his or her duties. You have the option of naming the same person to serve as caregiver and trustee or you can name different individuals for these roles, providing an added layer of accountability for each.

A pet trust is a wonderful way to ensure that your pet is well cared for, even if you can’t be there. A qualified estate planning attorney can help you include a pet trust in your overall estate plan, ensuring that your pets remain happy and healthy no matter what the future brings.

About Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm

Mark S. Eghrari is an attorney in private practice in Smithtown, New York. He has been in practice since 1988. Mark S. Eghrari provides extensive estate and tax planning services to individuals and businesses. Mr. Eghrari’s primary focus is helping clients avoid probate, minimize or eliminate Federal and State Estate taxes and protect their assets from the high cost of nursing care, if they become ill.

Primary Sidebar

Download our free estate planning worksheet

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

Where We Are

Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm
50 Karl Avenue, Suite 202
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 265-0599
Fax: (631) 265-0754

See Larger Map
Get Directions

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Map

map for Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm office

Footer

Office Location

Eghrari Wealth Training Law Firm
50 Karl Avenue, Suite 202
Smithtown, NY 11787
Phone: (631) 265-0599
Fax: (631) 265-0754

See Larger Map
Get Directions

Office Hours

Monday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Sign up to get our free estate planning newsletter for all of our tips and resources

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Site Footer

ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT

Copyright © 2022 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys · All Rights Reserved