Including Your Dog in Your Will

Most people know that one of the best things they can do when they are preparing important documents in their lives is to set up a will. You can hire an estate planning attorney who can help you with different questions you have, but one of the biggest questions you may have could involve your pet. When you have a dog and you are concerned about what may happen to him or her if you pass away, you want to ensure they are well taken care of in your will. An estate planning lawyer, like an estate planning lawyer in Sacramento, CA, will understand just how important your furry family member is and knows that for many people it is very important to have their pet taken care of in their will.  

Creating Your Will with Your Dog in Mind

When it comes to taking care of your pet, someone else may not love them the same way you do. When family members are grieving over the loss of a loved one, pets can become forgotten. After a family member passes away, the other members go into a grieving mode and begin thinking of things like funeral expenses, what to do for a funeral, and all the other logistics that come with the burial. When this happens, your pet’s needs may get lost in the mix. This is one of the most important reasons that you can create a will. You want to ensure that in the midst of the sad possibility that you depart before your dog, you have someone who will step in immediately to care for them and love them. It is important to remember that unlike other family members, your pet is the one who cannot reach out and ask for help. However, you can do this for them by planning ahead.

How do you choose the right person?

You don’t simply want to write someone’s name down just to make sure someone will watch your pet. Similar to picking a guardian for minor children, you want someone you can rely on, who loves your pet, who you know will treat them right and take care of them, and who can be there for them once the dust has settled. You should give this some thought before choosing who will take care of your pet in the event that you pass away first. 

1. Have the conversation. When you are planning on naming someone as your dog’s caregiver, speak with them as soon as possible. While a verbal agreement may sound fine, you want this to be the conversation that precedes writing everything out in your will. 
2. Work with your attorney. Once you have identified someone and have their agreement, work with a will creation attorney to add this to your will. He or she can ensure that this gets placed in your will so you do not have to worry about it.

For more information on how and why to include your dog in your will, contact an attorney today. 

Thanks to Yee Law Group, PC for their insight into including your dog in your will.