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Can I Provide For a Pet in My Estate Plan?

For many people, animals are full family members.  But before 2011, there was not a mechanism under Massachusetts law to provide for the care of an animal, other than relying on friends and family.  In 2011, the Massachusetts legislature enacted many changes to the probate code, including a provision allowing trusts for the benefit of an animal or animals. Though commonly called a "pet trust," this law has estate planing implications for other animals, like farm animals or horses, as well.

A Pet trust allows you to identify a trustee as well as caretaker for the animal.  The caretaker is responsible for the actual care of the animal, pursuant to whatever instructions you leave.  The trustee is responsible for administering any funds you leave for this purpose, and ensuring they are used for the proper purposes.

Just like a trust for a human, you will have to decide what happens to any remaining assets once the pet or pets are no longer living. You may want any remaining funds to go back to your human heirs, or you may have a charitable organization you want them to go to. Whatever you wish, you can specify that in the trust document as well.

Learn more here about Massachusetts Pet Trusts.

Need Help With a Pet Trust?

Call (781) 784-2322
OR
Schedule a Free Information Call
Pet trusts in MA estate planning lawyer slnlaw

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Copyright 2022, slnlaw
  • Home
  • Employment Law
    • Guide To Employment Law Content
    • Employment Contracts in Massachusetts
    • Discrimination in the Workplace
    • Employment Termination >
      • Massachusetts Paid Family Leave
      • Severance Pay
      • Unemployment in Massachusetts
    • Sexual Harassment at Work >
      • Sexual Harassment in a Small Business
      • Sexual Harassment and Non Disclosure Agreements
      • Sexual Harassment and Remote Work
    • Wage and Hour Laws
    • Independent Contractor Law
    • Non Compete Agreements >
      • Are non competes enforceable
      • Massachusetts Non Compete Act
      • Pre 2018 Massachusetts Non Competes
  • Estate Planning
    • Guide To Estate Planning Content
    • Legacy Protection
    • Why You Need an Estate Plan
    • Why You Don't Have an Estate Plan
    • Estate Planning Documents >
      • Children with Special Needs
    • Planning for Assisted Living
    • Probate Process
  • Business Law
    • Guide To Business Law Content
    • Small Business Law
    • Business Contract Basics
    • Civil Suit Defense
    • Legal Issues for Start Ups
    • Trademark Basics
    • How to Incorporate
    • Sale of Business
  • About
    • Reviews
    • Slnlaw Offices
    • slnlaw core values
    • Publications and Interviews
    • New Client Intake and Consultation
    • Contact
  • Attorneys
    • Emily Smith-Lee >
      • 2018 Lawyer of the Year
    • Jenna Ordway
    • Rebecca Rogers
    • Andrew Silvia
    • Elijah Bresley
  • Legal FAQs
    • Estate Planning FAQs
    • Probate FAQs
    • Small Business FAQs
    • Wage Act FAQs
    • Commission Pay FAQs
    • Overtime FAQs
    • Independent Contractor FAQs
    • Non Compete FAQs
    • Employment Discrimination FAQs
    • Employment Termination FAQs
    • Massachusettts Unemployment FAQs
    • Severance Package FAQs
    • Medical Leave FAQs
    • Sexual Harassment FAQs
    • Employer FAQs
    • Civil Lawsuit FAQs
  • Blog