Effective January 1,
2007, Ohio pet owners can set aside money in a
trust for the benefit of their pet
In the past, a pet owner’s options were limited. A pet owner could leave their pet and some money to a person in their Will and hope that person would care for their pet. But that person had no legal duty to use the money for the pet. They could pocket the money and take the pet to a shelter. A pet was, and still is, legally considered personal property, like your jewelry or car.
A Pet Trust is Legally Enforceable
Now, in Ohio, pet owners have a legally enforceable way to make sure their pets are cared for if the owner becomes disabled or dies. The pet owner can create a trust, put funds in the trust for the pet’s care, name a caregiver for the pet, and name a trustee to manage the money and oversee the caregiver. The caregiver has to use the money to take care of the pet if the money is used for something else, a judge can order the caregiver to return the money. The judge can also remove the caregiver and appoint your second choice as new caregiver.
Peace
of Mind
So now you don’t have to just hope your
pet will be cared for – you
can set up a legal mechanism to give yourself peace
of mind knowing that someone is legally required
to care for your pet if you can no longer
do so yourself.
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