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your pets and estate planning
To most of us, our pets are important family members. Including provision for your pets welfare in your Will can ensure that their needs are taken care of if you should die. Often people assume that family members or friends will look after their pets, but if specific plans are not made your pets may end up not being cared for as you would wish. In Australia many pets end up in shelters because their owners did not have a Will.
In the eyes of the law your pets are your property, and as such they may be directly gifted to someone who you know would care for them. You might also wish to give a sum of money to that person to look after your pet into the future and a Will allows you to provide for this. In Queensland, if you have no one who is able to care for your pets on your death, the RSPCA Pet Legacy Programme can take your pets into the protection of the RSPCA if you have allowed for this in your Will.
In a Will you can include your wishes about how your pets are cared for when you are no longer around to see to their needs. You may like to leave information about your pets Veterinary Surgeon, information about any medications they are on as well as details about any special dietary requirements they may have. Even notes about things like your pets favourite toys can be included in your Will.
If you participate with your pets in any of the various forms of competition available for animals (eg: performance sports, conformation shows etc) you may have special requirements for their future welfare and/or participation in these areas that can be stated clearly in your Will.
Pet owners may also wish to leave a bequest to an animal related charity such as the RSPCA or Guide Dogs for the Blind Association of Queensland. There are many worthy animal charities and organisations, and some will assist in paying for your Will if you leave a gift (or donation) to them. A Lawyer can contact the charitable organisation to obtain details of any arrangements they may have and ensure that any Gift you make is effective at law.
arranging to include your pets in your will
If you would like to ask us to draft your Will then we suggest that you call us at our office to arrange an appointment with one of our lawyers. If you are unable to attend our office we can arrange to visit your premises. We can also send you an instruction sheet, if you are short on time, to reduce the length of any consultation.
We aim to prepare your Will and have it signed during the one consultation.
If you are considering having your Will prepared or updated, we believe that it is also an appropriate time for you to consider the benefits of having an Enduring Power of Attorney. You may also like to ask about an Advance Health Directive.
