Attorney Brian Harkins Licensed to Practice in Louisiana for over 28 years
DECIDE ON A CAREGIVER FOR YOUR PET
It is essential to have both emergency and permanent caregivers for your pet. This will ensure your beloved pet's well-being is cared for in case you can no longer do it. To choose the right caregiver, you must discuss your pet's needs and your wishes for your pet's care with the potential caregiver. If you have multiple pets, deciding if they should be kept together or placed with different caregivers is important. You should also consider if your pet will be comfortable with everyone in the caregiver's household, including other pets and children. Additionally, make sure that the potential caregiver can provide the same level of exercise, companionship, and medical care your pet is used to. It is also important to ensure that your designated caregiver can afford to take care of your pet by discussing the expenses, such as food, veterinary care, and grooming. Make sure your caregiver can gain access to your home and keep in touch with them to make other arrangements if they become unavailable.
MAKE A PLAN TO NOTIFY YOUR CAREGIVER
make sure your caregiver can help when you need help
Life is unpredictable, so it's important to have a plan for your pet in case you are unable to care for them. This could be due to an emergency, hospitalization, or even your passing. We owe it to our pets to ensure they receive the love and care they need, even when we are not able to provide it ourselves.
When planning for your pet's future, involving your loved ones is essential. Start by informing your family and friends about your pet's care plan. Ensure they have the contact information of the caregiver you've chosen. It's also a good idea to keep the caregiver's information accessible so that it can be easily found if you're incapacitated. Make sure your caregiver has access to your home.
I created a Pet Emergency Card for my clients, which contains fields for their pet's caregiver's name and phone number on the front and their veterinarian's contact information on the back. I always provide two cards to my clients - one to be kept in their wallet or purse and the other to be placed with their insurance and registration documents in their vehicle.
PROVIDE CAREGIVER WITH DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUR YOUR PET
Pets are more than just animals; they're beloved members of our families who offer us unwavering devotion and companionship. However, it's essential to consider that sometimes pets may outlive their owners. They could face an uncertain future if proper plans are not made for their care.
IIt's important to remember that there may come a time when someone else needs to take responsibility for caring for your pet. This could be due to your disability or passing away. To ensure that your pets are well taken care of and receive the love, care, and attention they deserve, it's essential to plan and leave clear instructions for those who will be responsible for their welfare.
"Think about it: Every pet owner and their pet create unique ways to communicate, using words, sounds, and body movements. It's a language that no one else on earth speaks. If something happens to you, who will know how to "speak" with your pet? That's why it's important to give your pet's caregiver all the information they need. To help with this, we've prepared a comprehensive checklist."
The Estate Planning for Pets Checklist provides you with a comprehensive and easy-to-follow guide to recording all the essential details related to your pets' care. This checklist covers every aspect of your pets' well-being, including their daily routines, medical history, dietary preferences, and emergency contacts. Using this checklist ensures that all necessary information about your pets is accurately recorded and easily accessible.
Taking the time to complete this checklist will provide peace of mind for yourself and your family, friends, or designated caretakers. Your thoughtfulness in preparing this information will ensure that your pets' needs are met and they can continue living happy and fulfilling lives in a loving environment.
Estate planning for pets is important. Using this checklist, you can ensure that your furry companions are well taken care of in the future. Let's begin creating a complete estate plan for your pets!
INCLUDE YOUR PET IN YOUR WILL OR TRUST
Although we treat our pets as beloved family members, they are not. In Louisiana, they are classified as tangible personal property and will be treated as property after you die. So, if you don't take steps to plan for what will happen to your pets in a will or trust, state law will determine who gets your pet, and it might not be who you choose.
When creating your will or trust, it's crucial to choose a caregiver for your pet. Equally important is to designate a backup caregiver in case the primary one is unable to fulfill the responsibility. You can also consider providing financial support to the caregiver for the pet's care and include all necessary items such as leashes, collars, bedding, and toys.
Including your pet in your estate planning is a significant step towards ensuring their future well-being. This not only provides a sense of security but also peace of mind, knowing that your beloved companion will be cared for even after you're no longer around.
Our pets rely on us entirely for their care and well-being. It is the responsibility of every pet owner to ensure they are taken care of, even when we are no longer around to do so.