It is believed that 62 per cent of UK households own a pet, with many viewing them as core parts of the family.
While you may have devoted many hours to caring for your cat or playing with your pooch, not as many pet owners give the same level of thought to what will happen after they die to their faithful companion.
If you have a horse or a goldfish, you need to know how your pet is viewed by law when those who care for it are no longer here.
Can I leave everything to my pet?
Many people do regard their pets with the same level of affection as they would any other family member, feeling the same level of grief at losing them as they would a human relative.
Younger generations in particular, who either cannot afford to have children or have no desire to bring human life into the world, are turning to pets to experience the highs and lows of parenthood.
While it is not unreasonable to leave an entire estate to your human offspring, your pets are unable to receive such treatment.
Viewed as legal chattel, pets hold the same legal status as your car, house and sofa.
This realisation can be distressing for those who adore their pets and there is growing pressure to redefine how the law treats animals.
This means that a pet cannot directly inherit anything, but this does not mean they should be entirely neglected when writing a Will.
How do I make sure my pet is looked after when I die?
As with any other legal chattel, the owner has the ability to assign anyone they wish as a beneficiary.
This means that you can write into your Will exactly who should take ownership of your pet and some provisions for how they should approach the new dynamic.
It may be worth making sure the beneficiary knows the animal and gets along with them while you are still around to make the introductions.
You should have a conversation with the beneficiary about their capacity to adopt your pet to make sure that they will honour your wishes after you have passed.
If cost is an issue, or you really have your heart set on leaving your assets to your beloved companion, you can establish a trust dedicated to the care of the pet.
Trusts are most commonly used to leave assets and income behind for those not ready to make use of them, like children or grandchildren, but they can be incredibly effective ways of making provisions for pets.
You can place whatever funds you need into the trust, even leaving instructions for assets to be sold to increase the value of the trust.
The access to the trust can be stipulated as being for the care of the pet, ensuring that the funds are used only so long as the pet is alive.
When the pet reaches the end of its lifespan, having measures in place for how the trust will handle the remaining funds will be vital.
This could be awarded to the person who cared for the animal, or it could be donated to a charity of your choice.
At Palmers Solicitors, we make sure that the people of Essex know their legal rights and responsibilities so they can look after themselves and all of their family members, including those with fur, feathers or scales.
Including provisions for your pet in your Will is vital, as forgetting them could result in them being rehomed or placed in a shelter.
We can help you write a Will to suit your unique family dynamic and are ready to update it whenever anything changes. Make sure your pet is protected by speaking to our team today!
