Continuing Education for Professionals
Many of our active readers are also avid supporters of their local Humane Society or other similar community organization.
They support these facilities with their time and their money.
In addition to providing care and medicine for local animals, a vital part of the many programs of the various entities is education.
This applies not only to the public, but also to the professional groups, such as attorneys, financial planners and estate planners.
I have been working with the Humane Society of Naples to assist in the education process of pet trusts and estate planning for pet owners, to present to the public and the professionals.
To that end, we have been successful in preparing a Continuing Legal Education program that has received approval by the Florida Bar. The program is entitled Estate Planning For Animal Owners.
If you believe that your organization could benefit from a similar program, I will do whatever I can to assist.
Have your organization’s representative contact me directly.
This could be a long range planning strategy that benefits your pet community.
No Pet Trust In Delaware?
Although pet lovers in Delaware have been trying for over five years, the legislature has consistently failed to pass a Statutory Pet Trust in that jurisdiction.
Nevertheless, pet owners in Delaware are not out of options in the event that they want to provide estate planning for their pets.
Professor Gerry W. Beyer is a faculty member of the Texas Tech University School of Law. Professor Beyer is an invaluable source and resource for all involved in the field of estate planning for animal owners. His website is full of updated information regarding this area.
A prolific author and public speaker, Dr. Beyer writes that the “traditional pet trust” is effective in all states, even those without the Statutory Pet Trust.
According to Professor Beyer,” Many pet owners will prefer the traditional pet trust because it provides the pet owner with the ability to have tremendous control over the pet’s care. For example, you may specify who manages the property (the trustee), the pet’s caregiver (the beneficiary), what type of expenses relating to the pet the trustee will pay, the type of care the animal will receive, what happens if the beneficiary can no longer care for the animal, and the disposition of the pet after the pet dies.”
If you live in a state that has not authorized a specific Statutory Pet Trust, you can still plan to provide for the care of your pets with the preparation of the correct legal documents. There are alternate methods that will be accepted and approved by the courts.
