Release In Power Of Attorney For Pet Medical Information
Is there a general type of release for medical information in a power of attorney for a pet? I am working on my estate planning for my house full of cats. Thanks.
Mairin Gold Beach, Oregon
Marin, I have included typical release language below.
This is from the Papillon Club of America of Quincy, Florida.
AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF PATIENT INFORMATION
Papillon Club of America Rescue Trust
TO: Any and all treating veterinarians or facilities
This document authorizes any and all licensed animal health care practitioners, veterinarians and other persons who have participated in providing any care or service to my pets to discuss any communication, whether confidential or privileged, and to provide full and complete patient reports and records justifying the course of treatment including but not limited to: patient histories, vaccination histories, examination and test results, reports, or other information prepared by other persons that may in be your possession to the Papillon Club of America, Inc. (PCA) and/or its representative.
For more information about the club and its rescue efforts, visit their website here.
Horse Lover Looking For Help With Pet Trust
Pet lover looking for help…
..."I was wondering if you were aware of any pet welfare organizations that would be available to monitor, over the long term, the well-being of two horses that were left a trust?
It is a long story BUT a close friend of mine passed away and left inside her main trust a subtrust to pay for the care and maintenance of her two horses.
I was appointed the caregiver of them.
The current trustee has fired me from my position (and benefit) as supervising caregiver and we are currently in a lawsuit.
I am preparing for our court-ordered mediation and one of my alternative ideas is to agree to let the horses stay under the care of the current Trustee however, I would want an outside party to monitor the health and care of the animals, as well as the accounting of the horse trust.
Perhaps for an ongoing donation to the charity organization from the Trust.
The Trust is written in such a way that, should the horses die or have to be euthanized, the remainder of their trust reverts back to the bigger Trust and the current Trustee has already shown herself to be inclined to pre-maturely euthanize one of the horses...
Any answers…reply to me.
Thanks
Use a Charitable Remainder Trust in Your Estate Planning For Your Pets
Can I use a charitable remainder trust in my estate planning for my four dogs?
Ron Troy, Ohio
Ron, with a charitable remainder trust, you set up a trust and transfer to it the property you want to donate to a charity.
The charity needs to have a tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code and must be fully accepted and approved by the IRS.
The charity serves as trustee of the trust, and manages or invests the property so it will produce income for you
The charity then pays to your Trustee of your pet trust, a portion of the income generated for a certain number of years, or for the duration of your pet trust.
When the trust ends, the remainder of the property goes to the charity.
There can be some beneficial tax treatment and this is a very popular type of trust.
Consult your attorney and your accountant before you begin this process.
Set Up a Pet Trust For Your Horses
Can I set up a trust for my horses?
Valerie Mesa, Arizona
Valerie, you can indeed set up a trust for your horses.
In fact, Wendy Feldman recently wrote an article on Arizona Bridle and Bit website.
Ms. Feldman, CLU®, ChFC®, CASL® recently wrote:
… the state of Arizona has recently passed legislation making trusts for animals legal and enforceable. That means when you take the time to put a written plan in place to care for your horses they will be cared for according to your wishes.
…you need to sit down with a qualified professional to write down your specific goals and wishes with regard to your animals. While the Arizona statute is in place allowing you to write the plan, you must include many details that a professional estate planning attorney can provide for you.
...How detailed can you be in this plan? Very detailed. For example, the plan can determine who will be the caregiver, the options for keeping, selling or finding good homes for the animals and how much money is available for their care. Additionally, the care plan for each horse can be spelled out individually. Of course, most horse owners also have many other animals. The plan can be written to provide for them all…
Read more on this issue here.
