Critters in the Estate Plan

NYSBA Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 43, No. 2, p. 25, Summer 2010

7 Pages Posted: 27 Aug 2010

See all articles by Gerry W. Beyer

Gerry W. Beyer

Texas Tech University School of Law

Date Written: April 5, 2010

Abstract

Shadow, Dolly, Spot, Lady, Ming, Trouble, Roxy, and Madam Shan are just a few of the pets that have received favored treatment in their owners’ wills. Because of the foresight of their humans, these beloved companions lived out their lives in comfortable surroundings rather than meeting the Grim Reaper in the local animal shelter’s death chamber.

Virtually all clients want to provide for their pets but few actually do. Why is this? For the most part, either they do not plan their estates as is the case with most Americans or their estate planning attorneys neglect to explain how they can make arrangements for their four-legged, feathered, or scaly friends.

Lawyers should, and may be ethically obligated to, inquire about their client’s pets so that they can make certain their clients’ pets are properly cared for when the client is unable to do so due to injury, illness, or death. This article provides information designed to assist estate planners to carry out the wishes of their pet owning clients.

Keywords: wills, trusts, pets, animals, estate planning, dogs, cats, birds, parrots

JEL Classification: K11

Suggested Citation

Beyer, Gerry W., Critters in the Estate Plan (April 5, 2010). NYSBA Trusts and Estates Law Section Newsletter, Vol. 43, No. 2, p. 25, Summer 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1666370

Gerry W. Beyer (Contact Author)

Texas Tech University School of Law ( email )

3311 18th Street
Lubbock, TX 79409-0004
United States
806-834-4270 (Phone)
978-285-7941 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.ProfessorBeyer.com

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
220
Abstract Views
6,030
Rank
251,770
PlumX Metrics