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Our office is strongly committed to providing our clients with the most advanced estate planning available, including planning for one's pets.
For some of our clients, and especially the elderly, a beloved pet may be all the family that the person has. Without proper planning, your pet's needs, including food, shelter, and care, may not be addressed upon your disability or death.
While friends and relatives may care for a pet in your absence, they are not legally obligated to do so. In many instances, they may not have the financial ability to care for your pet on a long-term basis.
Although some states have passed laws specifically designed to address estate planning for pets, Massachusetts is not one of them. Pets are considered "personal property" under Massachusetts law. Because a pet is not considered a legal person under Massachusetts law, your pet cannot be a beneficiary under your estate.
Your estate planning documents must be carefully crafted to include pet planning provisions to be legally enforceable in this state.
Unlike a Last Will and Testament that is subject to the long and expensive Massachusetts probate process, a properly designed Trust is effective immediately. We draft Trust documents that specify important details concerning the care and control of your pet, as well as making funds available for your pet's continued care and comfort.
When you retain us to develop your estate plan with pet planning provisions, we develop and provide you with the tools to ensure that your pets will continue to be loved and cared for in the event of your disability or death.
Depending upon your needs and circumstances, the documents that we draft with special pet planning provisions may include the following:
- Trust with special provisions designating a person or rescue group to care for your pet along with important financial controls;
- Durable Power of Attorney with pet care provisions in the event of your short or long term disability;
- Pet Information Sheet to alert your pet's caregiver about your pet's feeding, medical, and recreational needs;
- Pet Alert card to keep in your wallet; and
- Sticker for your outside door to alert emergency workers (police and fire) about your pet.
We are serious about our commitment to pets -- our office mascots, Aszu and Cooper (pictured above) -- remind us every day why pets bless our lives in incomparable ways.
We also strongly support the organization NEADS (Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans) and encourage you to do so as well.
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With offices in Princeton and Waltham, Massachusetts, Carrie Dolmat-Connell assists clients with Estate Planning, Wills and Trusts, Elder Law, Medicaid Planning, Special Needs Planning, LGBT Planning, Special Needs Trusts, Pet Trusts, Asset Protection, Probate and Estate Administration, Business Law, Planning for Medical Professionals and Residential Real Estate in East Princeton, Jefferson, Sterling, Hubbardston, Rutland, Westminster, Holden, West Bolyston, Leominster, Fitchburg, Lancaster, Lexington, West Newton, Babson Park, Arlington Heights, Waterown, Brookline Village, Waverly and Boston in Worcester County, Middlesex County, Norfolk County and Suffolk County.
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