A Pet Trust provides a clear legal plan to ensure your companion animals are cared for if you become unable to provide for them. In Hilmar-Irwin and throughout Merced County, a Pet Trust documents your wishes for pet care, allocates funds, and names a caregiver and trustee to manage those funds. This arrangement gives peace of mind by setting instructions for daily care, medical needs, and long-term housing. Our office helps clients evaluate the right provisions for different types of animals, from dogs and cats to birds and small mammals, and to tailor practical plans that reflect each owner’s priorities.
Creating a Pet Trust involves selecting a caregiver who will take physical custody of your pet and naming a trustee to manage the funds set aside for that care. The trust can include detailed guidance on veterinary care, dietary needs, routines, and any behavioral requirements, as well as contingency plans if the caregiver cannot continue. In California, a properly drafted Pet Trust can marshal resources and directions to reduce disputes and ensure continuity of care. We discuss how Pet Trusts interact with wills, revocable living trusts, and other estate planning documents to form a cohesive plan.
A Pet Trust offers legal clarity and financial support for the ongoing care of animals after an owner’s incapacity or death. Unlike informal arrangements, a trust creates a legal mechanism to transfer funds and instructions to a named caregiver and trustee, which reduces uncertainty and the likelihood of the pet entering a shelter. Pet Trusts can also protect funds from misuse by requiring the trustee to follow specific spending rules and to provide accounting. For owners with multiple animals or special medical needs, trusts allow custom directions for each animal so that their standard of care is maintained consistently over time.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman provides practical estate planning services across California, including Pet Trust planning tailored to local needs in Hilmar-Irwin. Our approach emphasizes clear client communication, careful drafting of trust documents, and coordination with related estate planning instruments such as revocable living trusts, wills, powers of attorney, and health care directives. We take time to learn about each client’s household, the temperament and needs of each pet, and the family dynamics that might affect care arrangements, then prepare trust provisions and contingency plans that reflect those realities.
A Pet Trust is a legal vehicle that combines instructions for care with funding directed toward that care, managed by a trustee for the benefit of the pet. The trust names a caregiver to provide day-to-day needs and a trustee to handle money and payments. It can specify amounts for routine care, emergency medical treatment, and even end-of-life arrangements. The trust also allows owners to state preferences for housing, boarding, or foster arrangements. Because it is drafted within the framework of California law, a Pet Trust must be clear about beneficiaries, fiduciary duties, and the lifecycle of the trust to avoid ambiguity when it becomes effective.
Pet Trusts differ from simple directives left in a will because the trust can deliver funds directly and allow the trustee to manage resources without probate delay. This setup can be particularly important for animals with chronic conditions or specialized care needs. The trust can include instructions for regular accounting, oversight by a named guardian of the animal’s well-being, and fallback trustees or caregivers. Owners may also combine a Pet Trust with other estate planning documents, such as pour-over wills or advanced health care directives, to ensure seamless implementation in case of incapacity or death.
A Pet Trust is a legal arrangement in which a grantor sets aside assets and provides written instructions for the care of one or more pets, appointing a trustee to manage those assets and a caregiver to care for the animals. The document defines how funds are to be spent, how often the trustee pays the caregiver, and which expenses are allowed. It can also instruct on veterinary decisions, daily routines, and long-term housing. Pet Trusts are flexible and can be revocable or irrevocable depending on the owner’s overall estate plan, and they can include oversight measures to ensure funds are used for the animals’ benefit.
Establishing a Pet Trust typically involves identifying the pets, selecting a caregiver and trustee, specifying funding sources and amounts, and drafting clear care instructions and contingencies. The process starts with an interview to gather information about each animal’s health, habits, and likely costs. We then propose funding options ranging from outright transfers within a living trust to dedicated accounts or life insurance trusts that name the Pet Trust as beneficiary. The final step is integrating the Pet Trust with existing estate planning documents so that the trust activates when intended and coordinates with guardianship and property transfers.
Understanding common terms helps owners make informed decisions when creating a Pet Trust. Important concepts include ‘grantor’ who creates the trust, ‘trustee’ who manages trust assets, and ‘caregiver’ who provides hands-on care. Other terms include ‘trust corpus’ referring to the funded assets, ‘accounting’ which is the trustee’s reporting obligation, and ‘termination’ explaining when the trust ends and how remaining funds are distributed. Clear definitions allow owners to set enforceable expectations and to plan for successors, oversight, and dispute resolution should disagreements arise among those entrusted with care.
The grantor is the individual who creates the Pet Trust and sets its terms, including naming a caregiver and trustee, specifying funding, and detailing care instructions. The grantor decides whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable and designates any conditions for distribution or termination. In the creation process, the grantor provides background on the pet’s routines, health needs, and preferences, and chooses individuals who can carry out those wishes responsibly. The clarity and completeness of the grantor’s directions are essential to reduce disputes and ensure consistent care.
The trustee is the person or entity responsible for managing the funds and assets held for the pet’s care according to the trust’s terms. The trustee must follow the directions in the trust regarding allowable expenditures, frequency of payments to the caregiver, and accounting requirements. Trustees have fiduciary duties to act in good faith for the benefit of the pet and to ensure funds are used per the grantor’s intent. Often a separate caregiver is named to handle day-to-day needs while the trustee oversees finances and administrative duties.
The caregiver is the individual who will assume physical custody and direct daily care of the pet when the grantor cannot. This person follows the care instructions in the trust, carries out veterinary visits, and maintains the pet’s living arrangements. The trust can designate a primary caregiver and backup caregivers in case the primary is unable or unwilling to serve. Payment arrangements from the trustee to the caregiver should be set out clearly to cover routine expenses and emergencies, and can include mechanisms for additional funds for extraordinary medical needs.
The trust corpus refers to the assets set aside to fund the pet’s care, which may include cash, investment accounts, or designated proceeds from other estate planning instruments. Funding methods include transfers into a revocable living trust, setting aside a dedicated bank account, naming the trust as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy or retirement account, or using a general trust corpus with earmarked funds. Clear instructions for how funds are to be used, and what happens to any remainder upon termination, help prevent misuse and provide for the pet’s long-term welfare.
Owners considering pet care arrangements should compare options such as informal agreements, provisions in a will, and a dedicated Pet Trust. Informal promises lack enforceability and can leave pets vulnerable if caregivers change their minds. Provisions in a will may require probate before funds are available, which can delay care. A Pet Trust provides more immediate and enforceable support with mechanisms to fund care without probate delay. The right option depends on the owner’s objectives, the number and needs of the animals, and whether immediate access to funds and oversight are needed for reliable long-term care.
Some pet owners with healthy animals and modest anticipated costs may find that naming a trusted friend or family member in a will or leaving written instructions is sufficient for short-term contingencies. If there is a dependable caregiver who can absorb routine expenses without dedicated funding and the pet requires no special medical attention, a limited approach may be practical. However, even in these situations it is wise to document intentions clearly and discuss expectations with the named caregiver to reduce misunderstandings and to confirm willingness to assume responsibility in the future.
When a household has a robust informal network of family or friends who are prepared to provide long-term care and there is minimal risk of dispute over the pet’s custody, owners might choose a simpler plan. Clear, signed instructions and direct conversations can be effective where relationships are solid and resources are available. Even so, owners should evaluate whether funding access could become an issue if personal finances change. For owners who want added reliability, converting informal plans into formal legal documents provides greater assurance that care arrangements will be executed as intended.
When pets have chronic medical conditions, require ongoing specialized treatments, or when owners intend to leave significant funds for their care, a comprehensive Pet Trust ensures those needs are met reliably. Comprehensive planning sets clear criteria for medical decision-making, funding amounts for routine and extraordinary expenses, and oversight procedures to ensure funds are used properly. Without formal structure, there is a greater risk that available funds will be misapplied or delayed, potentially impacting the pet’s well-being during critical times when prompt medical attention or specialized care is needed.
Owners with multiple pets, blended households, or who travel frequently may benefit from a comprehensive plan that addresses allocation of funds among animals, temporary boarding, and long-term placement. A detailed trust can manage competing needs, designate separate caregivers for different animals, and set priorities for spending. It also allows for staggered distributions or conditional provisions if certain care benchmarks are not met. This level of planning minimizes conflict among potential caregivers and ensures that each animal’s care aligns with the owner’s expressed priorities over time.
A comprehensive Pet Trust offers peace of mind through certainty and financial support for a pet’s future care, with specific instructions that guide caregivers and trustees. It reduces the likelihood of legal disputes by clearly documenting the owner’s intentions and the mechanisms for carrying them out. By designating trustees and oversight measures, the Pet Trust promotes accountability in the use of funds and ensures that care standards are maintained. For families with unique pet needs, this approach provides a structured way to manage complex or costly care across changing circumstances.
Comprehensive planning also allows owners to integrate pet care provisions with their broader estate plan, coordinating funding sources and tax considerations, and preventing accidental disinheritance or delays. The trust can include successor caregivers and trustees, directions for long-term placement, and contingencies for the pet’s retirement or end-of-life care. In short, a well-drafted Pet Trust converts good intentions into enforceable arrangements that protect animals and minimize stress for family members who will carry out the owner’s wishes during an already difficult time.
One primary benefit of a comprehensive Pet Trust is financial security: the trust sets aside funds and specifies how they are to be disbursed for veterinary care, food, grooming, boarding, and other necessary expenses. The trustee’s role ensures funds are managed responsibly and disbursed according to established rules, which helps caregivers focus on providing quality day-to-day care rather than worrying about payment. Clear accounting and oversight provisions also build confidence that resources will remain available for the pet’s lifetime needs and that an audit trail exists if concerns arise.
By placing resources in a trust rather than relying solely on probate-dependent instruments, owners can avoid delays in access to funds and reduce the risk that pets will experience gaps in care. The Pet Trust’s written instructions and designated roles clarify responsibilities and reduce ambiguity that often leads to family disagreements. When the trust names alternates and provides mechanisms for resolving disputes, it helps ensure continuity of care even if the first-choice caregiver or trustee becomes unavailable, offering a stable, enforceable framework during difficult transitions.
Selecting the right caregiver and trustee is one of the most important steps in creating a Pet Trust. Ideally, the caregiver will have a strong bond with the animal and the ability to provide daily care, while the trustee should be someone who can manage funds responsibly and follow the trust’s directions. Consider naming alternates in case the primary choices cannot serve. It is important to discuss the plan in advance so the individuals understand the responsibilities, timing of payments, and the owner’s expectations for veterinary care and lifestyle.
Consider practical funding approaches and build oversight into the Pet Trust to ensure resources are used for their intended purpose. Define acceptable expenses, set payment schedules, and require periodic accounting from the trustee to the grantor’s estate or a named monitor. Explore options such as setting aside specific funds within a revocable living trust, naming the Pet Trust as a life insurance beneficiary, or establishing a bank account with access limitations. Oversight provisions can include reporting requirements and a mechanism to replace a trustee if needed.
Pet Trusts address the practical and emotional concerns owners face about their animals’ future welfare. They provide funding, clear instructions, and a legal mechanism to carry out the owner’s wishes, which reduces uncertainty for caregivers and family members. When pets require specific medical regimens, dietary needs, or ongoing therapy, formalizing those directions avoids guesswork and ensures continuity. A Pet Trust is also an expression of the owner’s care and planning, offering reassurance that pets will continue to receive consistent treatment and housing according to the owner’s values and preferences.
Additionally, Pet Trusts can protect against family disputes by establishing priority among potential caregivers and setting enforceable rules for the distribution and use of funds. They make provisions for contingencies such as caregiver incapacity and allow owners to name successors. For owners with substantial resources earmarked for pet care, a Pet Trust preserves those assets and prevents their diversion to unintended uses. Overall, the approach offers both emotional comfort and a practical roadmap that helps pets remain in stable, loving environments.
Pet Trusts are particularly valuable for owners who travel frequently, are older, have chronic or special-needs animals, or who lack immediate family to assume care. They are also useful for households with multiple pets or where there is potential for disagreement about custody. People who wish to ensure ongoing veterinary care or to allocate funds for long-term boarding or hospice care will find a trust beneficial. Additionally, Pet Trusts can support plans where the owner wants to designate different caregivers for different animals, or to provide for an animal’s companion needs after the owner’s passing.
When an owner faces serious illness or incapacity, a Pet Trust ensures that pets continue to receive care without interruptions. The trust’s provisions activate based on the conditions described in the estate plan, allowing trustees and caregivers to step in seamlessly. This avoids the uncertainty of emergency arrangements and provides financial backing for immediate veterinary bills, medication, and daily living expenses. Clear instructions for caregiver access, medical authority, and payment help reduce stress on family members who may be balancing health concerns and pet care responsibilities simultaneously.
After an owner’s death, probate processes can delay access to funds if pets are provided for only through a will. A Pet Trust provides a more direct path to funds and care, enabling the trustee to disburse money promptly to the caregiver and avoid lapses in support. The trust also establishes who will make medical decisions and where the pet will reside. For owners who want specific instructions followed immediately, a Pet Trust reduces the administrative burden and helps ensure continuity through the appointed caregiver and trustee arrangement.
In households with multiple caregivers, blended families, or shared custody arrangements, a Pet Trust can outline how responsibilities and funds are divided among parties. The trust provides an objective framework for who holds decision-making authority, how routine costs are shared, and how disputes are resolved. By clarifying these roles and mechanisms, the trust minimizes friction and preserves relationships while ensuring that every animal’s needs are prioritized. This approach also supports seamless transitions if caregiving responsibilities shift over time.
We provide local guidance to Hilmar-Irwin residents on drafting Pet Trusts and related estate planning documents such as wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and health care directives. Our team listens to your goals for your pets, suggests practical funding and oversight mechanisms, and coordinates the trust with your broader plan. We know the resources and veterinary providers in Merced County and can assist with step-by-step implementation, caregiver selection, and contingency planning so pets receive consistent care without administrative delays.
The Law Offices of Robert P. Bergman assists clients across California with estate planning that includes thoughtful Pet Trust provisions. We focus on practical solutions that reflect each owner’s priorities for animal care while ensuring legal clarity. Our process includes thorough interviews to understand the pet’s needs, drafting precise trust language to minimize ambiguity, and advising on funding strategies such as designating trust beneficiaries or allocating trust corpus. We work to make the transition smooth for caregivers and to protect the pet’s welfare through enforceable mechanisms.
We emphasize transparent communication and coordination with other estate planning documents, making sure that Pet Trusts work harmoniously with documents like pour-over wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, and certificates of trust. Clients receive clear explanations of trustee responsibilities, caregiver roles, and practical considerations such as banking arrangements and periodic accounting. Our aim is to deliver planning that is both legally effective and simple to implement for family members who will carry out your directions when the time comes.
Our office provides personalized service rooted in practical knowledge of California estate planning. We help clients identify funding options, draft contingency plans, and select alternates for trustees and caregivers. From initial planning to final execution, we assist with not only trust documents but also related forms like HIPAA authorizations, guardianship nominations, and pour-over wills to ensure a cohesive plan. We seek to reduce uncertainty and to create a reliable structure that preserves your pet’s quality of life in the event you cannot provide care.
Our legal process begins with an intake meeting to discuss your pet’s needs, household circumstances, and estate planning goals. We gather health and routine information for each animal and identify potential caregivers and trustees. After assessing funding needs and available assets, we prepare draft documents tailored to your preferences and review them with you to confirm details. Once finalized, we execute the trust and coordinate any necessary beneficiary designations or transfers so the plan can be implemented smoothly when needed.
During the initial consultation we collect detailed information about your pets, their medical needs, and your preferred caregiving arrangements. We discuss funding options and review existing estate planning documents to identify how a Pet Trust fits into your overall plan. This session helps us draft instructions that are practical and enforceable, and we advise on naming trustees, caregivers, and alternates. We also explain timing and activation triggers so you understand when the trust takes effect and how funds will be accessed by the trustee.
We assess each animal’s routine, medical history, and special needs, and discuss potential caregivers and family dynamics that could affect care. Understanding these details allows us to tailor trust provisions, allocate appropriate funding, and set oversight measures. We also consider geographic factors in Hilmar-Irwin and Merced County, such as proximity to preferred veterinarians and boarding facilities, which can influence logistical arrangements and budgeting for travel or transfer of care when necessary.
We review any existing wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and beneficiary designations to ensure the Pet Trust integrates properly and that funding sources are aligned with your wishes. This includes identifying accounts, life insurance, or other assets that can be dedicated to the trust. We also discuss whether a revocable or irrevocable approach is preferable given your overall objectives and advise on naming the trust as a beneficiary where appropriate to avoid probate delays.
After gathering information and identifying funding, we draft the Pet Trust with detailed care instructions, trustee powers, payment schedules, and succession plans. The draft includes provisions for veterinary decisions, emergency procedures, and reporting requirements for the trustee. We then review the draft with you to confirm all instructions, revise language to reflect your preferences, and ensure legal clarity. Our goal is to produce a document that is practical to administer and that minimizes ambiguity for future caregivers and trustees.
We define the trustee’s powers to pay for routine expenses, emergency medical care, boarding, and other items, while also specifying limits and oversight procedures. These rules help ensure that funds are used for the animal’s benefit and that caregivers receive timely reimbursement. We also include guidelines for recordkeeping and accounting so that expenses are documented and available for review by designated monitors or successor trustees if disputes arise.
The draft includes explicit directions for daily care, medication administration, dietary needs, and end-of-life preferences. We build in contingency plans naming backup caregivers and trustees, along with instructions for relocation or boarding if primary caregivers cannot continue. This level of detail helps ensure continuity of care and reduces the need for ad hoc decision-making during stressful situations. It also clarifies expectations so caregivers can act confidently on behalf of the animals.
Once documents are finalized, we assist with execution formalities and with funding the trust as needed. This may include transferring assets into a revocable living trust, setting up designated accounts, or naming the trust as a beneficiary of life insurance or retirement plans. We also advise trustees and caregivers about their responsibilities and the procedures for requesting funds and submitting accounting. Periodic reviews are recommended to update the trust as circumstances, laws, or the pet’s needs change.
We help coordinate funding steps such as executing transfers, updating beneficiary designations, or preparing life insurance assignments so the Pet Trust has accessible resources when needed. Properly aligning funding avoids delays and ensures the trustee can act promptly. We explain how different funding vehicles work, the tax implications of each choice, and how to structure access to funds to balance caregiver convenience with appropriate oversight and protection of the trust corpus.
We give trustees and caregivers clear guidance on administrative duties, accounting practices, and best practices for communicating about the animal’s care. This includes recommended documentation for expenses, procedures for approving emergency medical treatment, and steps for notifying alternates. Establishing these routines ahead of time reduces confusion and supports reliable care, and we remain available to answer questions as the trust is administered or as circumstances change.
A Pet Trust is a legal arrangement that combines written care instructions with funds set aside to provide for an animal’s ongoing needs. The trust names a caregiver to handle day-to-day care and a trustee to manage and disburse funds according to the grantor’s directions. This structure protects pets by creating an enforceable mechanism for both care and funding, reducing the risk that animals will experience gaps in care or enter shelters due to financial or administrative delays. The document can specify detailed routines, medical preferences, and contingency plans, and may require periodic accounting by the trustee to ensure funds are used as intended. Because the trust is tailored to an individual pet’s needs, it helps ensure continuity of care and reduces potential disputes among family members or caregivers when the owner is no longer able to provide for the animal.
Choosing a caregiver involves selecting someone who is willing and able to provide daily care, understands the pet’s temperament, and shares your values about medical treatment and lifestyle. It is important to have frank conversations with potential caregivers to confirm willingness, discuss practical considerations, and ensure they can assume responsibility. Naming a backup caregiver provides additional security if the primary choice cannot serve. Selecting a trustee requires a person or institution comfortable managing funds responsibly and following the trust’s terms. The trustee should be reliable, organized, and able to communicate with the caregiver and any designated monitors. In some situations owners name different people as caregiver and trustee to separate daily care duties from financial oversight, creating checks and balances that benefit the animal.
Funding a Pet Trust can be accomplished through several means, including transfers into a revocable living trust, setting aside cash in a dedicated account, naming the Pet Trust as a life insurance beneficiary, or allocating funds through other estate planning instruments. Each option has advantages related to accessibility, probate avoidance, and tax considerations. The choice depends on the owner’s asset structure and goals, and we can help evaluate the most practical funding approach for your household. It is important to estimate realistic annual costs for routine care and potential medical events, then provide a margin for unexpected expenses. The trust should include instructions for handling extraordinary medical costs and specify whether the trustee has discretion to use funds for end-of-life care, boarding, or training. Clear funding rules help avoid disputes and ensure caregivers are promptly reimbursed for approved expenses.
Yes, Pet Trusts can and should include medical instructions and emergency care directions to guide caregivers and veterinarians. These directives may cover routine vaccinations, treatments to avoid, preferred veterinarians, and approval limits for emergency procedures. Explicit guidance on decision-making authority helps caregivers act quickly and in alignment with the owner’s wishes during stressful situations, reducing delay and uncertainty at critical moments. It is useful to attach medical records, medication lists, and contact information for current veterinarians to the trust documentation so caregivers have immediate access to essential information. The trust can also specify when the trustee’s approval is required for costly procedures, or grant caregivers limited authority to act in emergencies up to a prescribed spending limit to ensure prompt treatment when necessary.
A properly funded Pet Trust can bypass some probate-related delays because trust assets under certain structures are available without court administration. If funds are placed directly in a trust or the trust is named as a beneficiary of an account or policy, the trustee may access funds promptly to pay for the pet’s care. Wills alone may require probate before funds are distributed, which can lead to delays; trusts provide a more immediate path when correctly funded and integrated with other documents. However, the effectiveness of avoiding probate depends on how the trust is funded and whether beneficiary designations have been properly updated. It is important to coordinate asset titling and beneficiary forms with the trust to ensure access to funds when needed and to prevent unintended probate delays that could disrupt care.
A Pet Trust should specify what happens to any remaining funds after the pet’s death or when the pet is no longer covered by the trust. Common options include distributing the remainder to a named charitable organization, an individual, other family members, or returning the funds to the grantor’s estate. The trust language should be clear about the priority of distributions and whether leftover assets are to be used for memorial expenses or other stated purposes. Designating a remainder beneficiary and including fallback instructions helps avoid disputes and ensures that funds are disposed of according to the owner’s overall estate plan. It is also wise to specify what constitutes a reasonable remainder and whether audit or reporting requirements will be used to confirm that funds were used properly prior to distribution.
Many Pet Trusts are created as revocable arrangements during the owner’s lifetime, enabling the grantor to modify or revoke the trust as circumstances change. Life events such as relocation, changes in relationships with caregivers, or the pet’s evolving health needs may prompt updates. We recommend periodic reviews of the trust language and funding to ensure that instructions remain appropriate and that named individuals are still willing to serve. Irrevocable Pet Trusts are less flexible but may be chosen for certain asset protection or tax reasons. If an owner creates an irrevocable trust, changes are more limited and typically require agreement from all relevant parties or restructuring through legal mechanisms. It is important to discuss goals at the outset to determine the best approach for long-term stability and adaptability.
Pet Trusts should be coordinated with wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, and advance health care directives to form a comprehensive estate plan. For example, a pour-over will can direct any overlooked assets into the primary trust, and powers of attorney can help manage finances for funding during incapacity. Consistency among documents prevents conflicting directives and ensures that the Pet Trust activates and is funded as intended without gaps or disputes among beneficiaries. During planning, we review existing documents to align beneficiary designations and asset titles with the Pet Trust. This coordination reduces the risk of assets being subject to probate or passing contrary to the owner’s wishes. Clear cross-references and consistent language make administration simpler for trustees and caregivers when the time comes to implement the plan.
There is no absolute legal cap on amounts left for pet care in a Pet Trust under California law, but courts retain the authority to oversee the reasonableness of provisions and the trustee’s conduct. The trust should allocate funds that reflect realistic costs for the pet’s expected lifespan, factoring in routine care and potential medical events. Excessively large provisions without clear justification may invite scrutiny or disputes among heirs, so it is advisable to document the rationale for funding levels. To avoid challenges, provide a reasoned budget and consider including a mechanism for oversight or audit, such as periodic reporting to a named monitor or requiring receipts for large expenditures. Clear spending rules and objective standards for extraordinary expenses reduce the likelihood of conflicts and help ensure the trustee administers funds in a manner consistent with the owner’s intent.
To begin creating a Pet Trust in Hilmar-Irwin, start by documenting your pet’s daily routine, medical history, preferred veterinarians, and any special needs. Identify one or more potential caregivers and a trustee who can manage funds and follow your directions. Gather information about your assets and consider how you will fund the trust, whether through a living trust transfer, a designated account, or beneficiary designations on insurance or retirement plans. Once you have these elements, schedule a planning discussion to fine-tune instructions, set funding levels, and prepare a draft trust. We will review the draft with you, make adjustments, and assist with execution and funding steps so that the trust is effective and integrated with your overall estate plan. Taking these steps now gives you confidence that your pet’s future care is legally secure.
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