As a California pet owner, you have the legal option to arrange care for your animals after your death. A pet trust allows you to allocate funds and provide detailed care instructions, ensuring continuity and quality of life for your companion animals.
What is a pet trust?
A pet trust is a formal legal tool used to guarantee ongoing care for your pet. In the trust, you appoint a caregiver to handle daily responsibilities and a trustee to manage the financial resources you set aside. This dual-role structure helps ensure that your pet receives proper care and that funds are used strictly for that purpose.
How to create a valid pet trust
California Probate Code Section 15212 authorizes the creation of pet trusts. To form a valid trust, you must identify each animal clearly and provide comprehensive care directives. Include information about diet, grooming, veterinary care, and any special routines. The trust remains in effect until the last-named pet dies. You should also designate how any remaining funds will be distributed when the trust concludes.
Choosing a trustee and caregiver
Select trustworthy individuals for both roles: one to provide physical care and one to manage the trust’s finances. The trustee’s role is to oversee that the caregiver follows your instructions and that the money is used only for pet-related expenses. Consider naming alternates in case your first choices become unavailable. Open communication with these individuals before finalizing your trust can help prevent misunderstandings.
In the absence of a formal plan, your pet could end up with someone unfit or unwilling to provide proper care. Establishing a pet trust helps eliminate uncertainty, outlines your expectations in writing, and provides dedicated resources for food, medical care, and daily upkeep. Since the trustee is legally bound to uphold the terms, misuse of funds becomes far less likely.