Many people want to include their dogs in their will because they consider them part of the family.Don't give your dog your house because you cannot leave money or assets to him.Expenses can be charged to your estate if you choose to provide for your dog.A pet trust may be a better option if you want to change your will.
Step 1: Emergency caregivers should be selected.
In an instant, you want someone to care for your pet.Two friends are willing to act as emergency caregivers.Pick someone who is responsible.You need to depend on these people in an emergency.A child who isn't around a lot is better than a trusted neighbor.There are instructions for how to care for your dog.Information such as a feeding schedule and walk times should be included.Provide your emergency caregivers with keys so they can easily access your pet.You can have an emergency contact card with you.Your emergency caregivers' contact information can be listed on this card.
Step 2: A long-term care for the dog is what you should choose.
You want a person who loves your dog as much as you do.Think of a friend or family member.If they have been around the dog, they know what to expect.If you don't know anyone, you can choose a charity to take care of your dog.There are pet retirement homes and animal sanctuaries that might be willing to look after a pet.The power to choose someone to take care of your dog is contained in your will.If you can't find someone who's willing to serve as a caregivers, you're not alone.Someone might be able to find you after you die.If you have more than one dog, try to find someone who can take all of them.If animals have bonds, it is important to keep them together.
Step 3: Pick alternate caregivers.
It is possible that your preferred long-term care giver will die before you or change their mind.It's important to pick one or two alternates.You have to identify these people in your will.Stay in touch with your caregivers.Check in periodically to make sure they are still willing to serve.You can change your will if they change their minds.
Step 4: How much money should be set aside?
When you are gone, you will need to set aside money for your dog.How much you spend on your dog in a year should be used to find out how much to leave.You can expect your dog to live a number of years.The average lifespan of different dog breeds is listed on the website PetMD.You can find the chart here: http://www.petmd.com/dog/wellness/evr_dg_how_long_do_dogs_live.Food, vet care, grooming, and other expenses are necessary expenses.Don't leave too much money for your dog because he cannot inherit property.Your heirs can challenge any excess.Leave as much as you can to care for your dog.
Step 5: Find your will.
An amendment to an existing will is what you should include if you have already drafted a will.You should find your will so that you know what's in it.Ask your lawyer for a copy of your papers.Your dog is considered personal property and will be given to someone else in your estate.
Step 6: Determine who you want to receive your dog.
You can give your personal representative the power to find a suitable person to care for your pet.This information should be included in your will.You could write, "I give my dog, Jack, which I may own at the time of my death, to April Jones, currently residing at 1234 South Street, Any City, New York, with the request that she treat Jack as a companion animal."
Step 7: Provide medical care to your heirs.
The dog should be taken to a vet and checked to make sure it is healthy.If the dog is sick, make sure your executor provides necessary medical care.Before placing my dog, I direct my Executor to consult Doctor Smith, D.V.M., according to a sample language.The dog is in good health if Dr. Smith is unavailable.All necessary and reasonable veterinary care that my dog needs to restore him to good health is provided by my Executor.
Step 8: Decide if you want the animals euthanized.
If your dog is sick, you might want to put it down.This provision can be included in your will.If good health cannot be restored with veterinary medicine, the dog will be euthanized and cremated.
Step 9: Provide for costs.
It's a good idea to include a provision about how expenses will be covered.You can leave your dog and money to the person who takes care of it.The gift of money should be contingent on the dog being accepted.The person who accepts my dog, Jack, will get $4,000 from my estate.Provide for the expenses incurred immediately after you die, I request that these funds be used for Jack's care.You could write: "Any expenses incurred for the care, transportation, or placement of my dog shall be charged against my residuary estate."The decisions made under this article are final.I want my Executor to have as much discretion as possible to carry out this article.
Step 10: You can distribute copies of your will.
Make sure you give a copy of your will to your loved ones.You should have a copy of your will for your records as well.It is a good time to pull together other dog records for your caregivers as you distribute copies of the will.Write down instructions for your pet's diet.
Step 11: Understand the benefits of a pet trust.
A will is a lot like a trust.You will set aside money to care for your dog.A trustee is a person who holds and manages money.A trust has advantages over a will.A will does not take effect for several weeks.A will may have to go through the court.A pet trust takes effect immediately.If you become incapacitated, it can even go into effect before you die.It is not possible to enforce instructions in a will.A will only disburses property.Your caregivers can ignore your instructions in a will.The trust can be enforced by a Trustee.Money can be deposited with a trust.A will will disburse all money at once.There is a Trustee who can check in on your dog.Your pet will be given to your designated caregiver with a will.No one watches your dog.
Step 12: Talk to an attorney.
You can choose between a will and a trust with the help of an attorney.You will need an attorney to draft your trust for your pet.Ask for a referral if you want to find an attorney.Sample pet trusts can be found online.You will want your trust to conform to your state's requirements.If you want to give instructions for how your dog should be taken care of, you should draft a stand-alone trust.
Step 13: Pick a Trustee.
The money will be in the hands of the Trustee and he will make payments to whoever he pleases.Someone who is financially responsible is what you will want to appoint as Trustee.The person who will take care of your dog is not the Trustee.Trustees should not be close friends or relatives of the caregivers.The Trustee is supposed to check on the caregivers.
Step 14: Instructions for care are provided.
You can control how your pet is cared for with a stand-alone pet trust.You can get as detailed as you please.Make sure to talk about your instructions with the person you choose to care for the dog.Instructions can be provided about your dog's diet.It is possible to identify the kind of dog food your pet needs.Your dog should be seen by the vet.You can say that your dog should see the vet.The dog walk schedule.If you want the dog to be taken for a walk each day, state so.What should be done to dispose of your dog after death.You can state that your dog should be cremated or buried.
Step 15: It's necessary to have regular inspections.
If you want to make sure that your dog is being taken care of in the manner you provided, you can instruct the Trustee to visit the caregivers regularly.You might want your Trustee to visit frequently.
Step 16: A remainder beneficiary should be named.
Before your dog dies, the money you set aside for the trust may not be enough.If you have leftover money, you should give it to someone.The person is the beneficiary.A friend or family member is the remainder beneficiary.Assets can be left to an animal welfare charity.This would be a great way to remember your dog.The caregivers should not be named the remainder beneficiary.They have an incentive for the dog to die earlier so they can use all of the left-over money.