Laurie and I don’t have a pet, but most of our friends do. We’re in the minority, as 66% of Americans have a pet. We understand that the pet becomes another member of the family. Per the 2025 APPA National Pet Owners Survey, more than half of the country owns a dog. That includes our son’s family, who has given us a granddog named Basil.
What happens to your pets after you die? Some have famously included their pets in their estate plans. The most notorious is Leona Helmsley who bequeathed a $12 million trust to her dog Trouble (which a family settlement later reduced to $2 million). Leona is in good company.
- Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld left a big inheritance to his cat Choupette, along with two maids, a driver, an iPad, and a Dyson hairdryer.
- Michael Jackson left $2 million to care for his chimpanzee Bubbles.
- Miles Blackwell left $10 million to his hen Gigoo.
- Ben Rea left his cat Blackie $12.5 million.
- Oprah Winfrey reportedly is leaving $30 million to a trust for her dogs.
Unfortunately, what happens most is the opposite extreme. According to 2nd Chance 4 Pets, “Each year, more than 500,000 pets are surrendered to U.S. shelters because their owners passed away and had not made plans for the continued care of their pets.” You might wonder—how this can happen to a beloved member of your family? The truth is, no one will care for your pet like you do, especially if you haven’t prepared anyone to do so. It’s unwise to leave pets to friends or family members who aren’t prepared to take care of them.
That’s why it’s so important to plan for your pet’s future—not just by telling someone your wishes, but by outlining them in a legal document. That way, you have peace of mind knowing that your final wishes for your pets will be honored.
There are a couple of ways to go about this:
- Including your pet in a Will.
Pets are legally considered property, so you can leave them to someone in your Will. This applies to both domestic and exotic animals, as long as the person receiving the pet is in a state where they are legally allowed to own it. Keep in mind that a Will has to go through probate, which can delay care, so you would need to have a plan for this gap period. Also, any money leave to someone for pet care isn’t legally enforceable without a trust. For example, you might leave $4,000 to a family member to care for your pet, but they could choose to use the money differently—or provide less care than you intended—with no legal consequences. - Creating a pet trust.
As I mentioned in a previous blog, “Do You Love Your Pets?” every state now has laws authorizing a Pet Trust. Consider adding a Pet Trust to your estate plan, naming a trustee to be in charge of carrying out your wishes. The trust should be funded with sufficient assets to provide for the annual cost of pet care multiplied by your pet’s life expectancy, plus an extra sum for unexpected needs, transportation, and the final disposition of your pet. This is a great option for pet owners who either don’t have a trusted person to care for their pet when they are gone, or whose pet has specific care needs.
Pet trusts “provide greater protection than wills and other verbal or written agreements” (The New York Times, “After Your Death, Who Takes Care of the Dog?”, September 28, 2024). “‘While a Will doesn’t go into effect until you pass…. A trust goes into effect the moment it’s signed and continues after your death.’” Therefore, if the owner becomes incapacitated, the trust can be activated. Trusts are legally enforceable and allow for detailed instructions. Trusts can even outline preferences like, “organic pet food, mandate acupuncture or note that a dog likes the radio playing when it’s home alone. They can require pet insurance policies to help cover vet bills.” Others address complex decisions like “Who decides when an older animal should be euthanized? The caretaker? A vet? Two vets? What will become of its remains?” By creating a pet trust, you can ensure the money is used as intended—and your pets receive the care you envision.
So, what’s the best next step? It depends on your situation. If your pet doesn’t require detailed care and you have a trusted friend or family member ready to take them in, then outlining your wishes in a Will may be enough. But if your pet has specific needs, or if you don’t have someone in mind to take them, a pet trust is the better choice, even if it’s not in the league with Leona or Oprah.
We understand that for many, “the pet is the center of their universe.” Therefore, it’s important to understand your options and put your wishes in a legal document. That way, you can have peace of mind knowing that when you pass, your furry friends will be in good hands.
Marvin E. Blum
Resource: Burchette, Jordan. “The 10 Biggest Inheritances Ever Left to Pets.” Everplans, https://www.everplans.com/articles/the-10-biggest-inheritances-ever-left-to-pets.
Marvin Blum with granddaughter Lucy and her beloved dog Basil, another member of the Blum family.