When you have a pet that you love, they become part of your family. You spend time with them, you buy them treats when you go to the store and you include them in your celebrations. They are an important part of your life.
If your children are now old enough to support themselves, then you may want to give more priority to how your animals will be looked after should you become incapacitated. It is not feasible to leave money or property to the pet directly. If you want to provide for your pet, a trust is better.
Animals can’t own property
Animals do not have the same property rights that humans do under Nevada state law. If you try to leave assets to an animal, they will likely wind up in the control of the person who takes care of that animal after you die. One way to make sure that your pet is properly cared for after your incapacitation is to utilize a pet trust.
Putting property in a trust can ensure that the people taking care of the animal don’t have direct access to the resources that provide for it. A trustee can help ensure that the animal receives proper care long after you die. Adding a trust to your estate can be a good way to care for a beloved pet after your death.
The estate planning process is crucial and you want to carefully consider the impact your death might have on your family members and pets. As you plan for the future, be sure to take note of your legal rights.