Seattle pet trust lawyer Heather Van Nuys can help.

The Sad, Sad Story:
Millions of Pets are Destroyed Every Year -
Don't Let That Happen to Your Beloved Companion!

    Have you seriously considered what will become of your beloved pet - your faithful companion - upon your death or disability?  If not, now is the time. If you don't have a plan that quickly and easily provides for your pet's food, shelter, and care, please keep reading.  

    One of the main goals of estate planning is to provide for your loved ones. For many of us, "loved ones" includes our pets. While you can always ask a friend or relative to look out for your pet when you are gone, they aren't legally obligated to unless you set up an estate plan specially designed for this.

    The specific estate planning method you use will depend on your state laws, your pet's needs, your goals and financial resources. Working together, you and your attorney can plan for the best method to ensure that your pet will continue to have a quality life.

    In the state of Washington, people are now allowed to create a trust to benefit their pets.  This was not always the case.  Fortunately, you can set up a pet trust now with Seattle lawyer Heather Van Nuys.  The pet trust for your beloved animal can be arranged to take effect later - when you are disabled or pass away.

Click here to see the Washington Pet Trust statute.

Heather Van Nuys is a Seattle Wills and Trust attorney.  She can help you plan with a pet trust.

     It is ideal, but not essential, to identify a particular person who is willing to care for your pet.  Funds set aside in a trust for this purpose will relieve the financial burden for the caregiver.  If you don't know such a person, and if you have sufficient resources to fund the trust, the trustee of the pet trust can hire an appropriate person to look after your pet.

    The pet trust should be drafted by an attorney who knows exactly what you want accomplished.  Expect to fund the trust with money or assets so the trustee has the necessary resources to feed, shelter, and nurture your faithful companion.  The trust should clearly identify the pet so there is no question the right animal is receiving your intended benefits.  A common way to do this now is to use a microchip implanted by your veterinarian.  You certainly won't want an unscrupulous caregiver to be able to switch animals just to stay on your payroll!

    You can direct that any money or assets that remain once your pet dies be given to the person or charity of your choice.  Meanwhile, your pet will be cared for in the manner you establish in your trust.  A Seattle wills and trust attorney who understands pet trusts can help you with your planning.

    At Van Nuys Law Office PLLC, we can tailor your estate plan to take care of your pets as well as your other needs.  The Van Nuys Law Office PLLC is conveniently located in the heart of Ballard, Seattle.  Please contact us if you would like to make an appointment.  We'd like to be your Seattle Wills and Trusts lawyer.

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