On the death of the pet owner, provisions are necessary in the
pet owner's Will, to provide effectively for comfort and care for
the pet.
On the death of the pet owner, advance
arrangements should be made to protect the pet, during the period
between the owner's death and the admission of the Will to
probate.
* Too often this period is not considered. Although a Will can
make provisions for the care of the pet, no action can be taken by
the Executor to carry out these provisions until the Will has been
administered to probate and the Executor has received the authority
to proceed by the issuance of letters testamentary. The time
between death and the authority of the Executor to act can vary
between several weeks and several months. Plans must be made to
ensure for the pet during this interim period.
Upon the incapacity or hospitalization of the
pet owner, advance arrangements should be made to ensure care of
the pet while the pet owner is hospitalized or
incapacitated.
The purpose of this page is to suggest
various programs a pet owner can consider in order to provide for
the comfort and care of his/her pet under any of these
circumstances. In addition, this site includes information and
sample Will provisions which may be useful to attorneys who prepare
Will for clients with pets*.
