If you die or become incapacitated without a plan, your pets become part of your estate — property to be distributed like anything else. Whoever inherits them has no legal obligation to care for them the way you would. In the worst case, animals end up surrendered to a shelter.
California law allows you to fix this. A pet trust (Probate Code §15212) is a legally enforceable arrangement that sets aside funds for your pet’s care and designates a caregiver who is legally required to follow your instructions. Unlike simply leaving a pet to someone in your will, a pet trust creates real accountability.
That said, a standalone pet trust doesn’t make sense for most people — and Marina will tell you that directly rather than sell you something you don’t need. What does make sense for most pet owners is building pet protection into their existing estate plan: naming a caregiver, setting aside funds, and making sure your wishes are legally enforceable. There’s more than one way to do this.
(Marina’s cat attends most estate planning meetings and has strong opinions about successor trustee selection. Clients who love their animals tend to find Modlin Legal a comfortable fit.)
If your pets matter to you and you want to make sure they’re protected, reach out. Marina will figure out what actually makes sense for your situation.
Set up a free consultation today