Pets are often important members of the household, so just as you would for family and friends, carefully drafted provisions should be made for them in your Wills to ensure that they are properly cared for after your death.
Who is Suitable to Look After Your Pet?
This can be a person or an organisation, such as a pet charity. It is important to ensure that whoever you choose is happy to accept the responsibility of caring for your pet and that you have discussed this with them beforehand. They will be left a specific gift/legacy of your pet in your Will, so you need to make sure they are happy to accept this to ensure that the gift does not fail.
It would also be prudent to have a back-up plan included in your Will in case whoever you choose dies before you or is unable or unwilling to look after your pet. In such a situation, nominating an animal charity is often the safest option.
Consider a Cash Gift
This would be paid purely for pet maintenance purposes, for example, to cover vet bills or insurance. It is important that the cash gift is not left to your pet but to whoever you have chosen to take care of them. Pets are unable to inherit and therefore a cash gift directly to your cat or dog would fail.
Make Sure the Cash Gift is Conditional
Making sure that the cash gift is conditional on the person accepting responsibility of taking of your pet is also important. It ensures that your pet is properly looked after, and that they are not a financial burden on whoever is now looking after them.
Ensuring that the cash gift is only paid out if your pet is still alive when you pass is also essential to prevent a large part of your estate being paid to someone who might not have otherwise inherited.
It is vital that any clauses in connection your pets and their care after you pass are carefully drafted to ensure that they are enforceable, cover any eventuality and most importantly are in accordance with your wishes. It is therefore advisable to seek professional help when looking to make a Will that provides for your pet.
For more information and to find out how we can help you, please contact a member of our Wills and Probate Team on 0345 646 0406 or fill in our online enquiry form and a member of our Team will be in touch.