[updated on May 10, 2010]
Below are sample will provisions to provide for a pet animal. These
provisions are generic, that is, they are not designed to comply with
the specifics of any particular state statute authorizing pet trusts.
Instead, these sample provisions create a "traditional" trust which,
after appropriate adjustments for local law, should be effective
regardless of whether the jurisdiction has enacted a special pet trust
statute.
I would greatly appreciate your comments and suggestions so that I may
enhance the quality of these provisions. If you are willing to donate
your pet trust provisions, I would be pleased to post them and
acknowledge your authorship.
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[include in section of will devoted to specific gifts and
legacies]
I leave [description of pet animal] and [amount of money adequate for
animal’s care and trust administration expenses] to the trustee, in
trust, under the terms of the [name of trust] created under Article []
of this will. If [animal] does not survive me by [survival period], this
provision of my will is of no effect.
[include as separate will article creating trust for animal’s
benefit]
A. Conditions of Creation
This trust is to be created upon the conditions stated in Article [].
B. Governing Law
This trust is to be governed by [name of state] law unless this Article
provides to the contrary.
C. Trustees
I appoint [primary trustee] as Trustee of this trust. If [primary
trustee] is unwilling or unable to serve, I appoint [alternate trustee]
as trustee.
D. Bond
No bond shall be required of any trustee named in this Article.
E. Trustee Compensation
The trustee shall be entitled to reasonable compensation from the trust
for serving as trustee.
[or]
No trustee shall be entitled to compensation for serving as trustee.
F. Beneficiaries of Trust
[Caretaker] is the beneficiary of this trust provided [Caretaker]
receives [name of animal] into [his] [her] home and provides [animal]
with proper care as defined in Section G of this Article. The trustee
shall deliver [animal] into [Caretaker's] possession after securing a
written promise from [Caretaker] to provide [animal] with proper care.
If [Caretaker] (1) dies, (2) is unable to provide [animal] with proper
care, or (3) is not providing [animal] with proper care, [alternate
beneficiary] is the beneficiary of this trust provided [alternate
beneficiary] provides [animal] with proper care. [continue in like
manner for additional alternates]
If there is no qualified alternate beneficiary, [allow the trustee to
select caretaker, other than the trustee] [create animal care panel to
select caretaker] [donate animal].
G. Proper Care
Proper care means [description of care including, for example,
requirement of regular visits to a veterinarian].
The trustee shall visit [caretaker]’s home at least [monthly]
[quarterly] [annually] to make certain [animal] is receiving proper
care. If in the trustee’s sole discretion [animal] is not receiving
proper care as defined above, trustee shall immediately remove [animal]
from the beneficiary’s possession and deliver the animal to the
alternate beneficiary.
H. Euthanizing of [Animal]
The trustee may not have [animal] euthanized unless two veterinarians,
independent of each other, agree that [animal] has a serious or terminal
medical condition.
I. Distribution of Trust Property While [Animal] is Alive
1. Care of [Animal]
The trustee shall distribute [amount] to the beneficiary each [month]
[year] provided the beneficiary is taking proper care of [animal] as
defined in Section G of this Article.
[or]
The trustee shall reimburse [caretaker] for all reasonable expenses
[caretaker] incurs in the proper care of [animal] as defined in Section
G of this Article . Reasonable expenses include, but are not limited to,
[food, housing, grooming, medical care, and burial or cremation fees.]
[2. Caretaker Compensation]
The trustee [shall] [may] pay [dollar amount] to trustee on a [monthly]
[annual] basis provided [caretaker] is taking proper care of [animal] as
defined in Section G of this Article.
[3.
Liability Insurance]
The trustee [shall] [may] use trust property to purchase liability
insurance to protect the trust, the trustee, and [caretaker] from damage
[animal] causes to property or persons.]
[4. Offspring of [Animal]]
The trustee [shall] [may] [shall not] use trust property to reimburse
[caretaker] for expenses associated with any offspring of [animal].
J. Termination of Trust
This trust terminates on the earlier of (a) 21 years after [testator’s]
death, or (b) upon the death of [animal].
[consider including how death of animal is to be proved, e.g., death
certificate from a vet]
[consider having trust also terminate when animal is deemed "lost" --
require evidence to prove loss of pet, e.g., copies of police reports,
ads in newspapers seeking the pet's return, copies of posters placed in
the community, etc.]
K. Distribution of Property Upon Trust Termination
Upon the termination of this trust all remaining trust property shall
pass to [remainder beneficiary] if [he] [she] is alive at the time of
trust termination. If [remainder beneficiary] is not alive at the time
of trust termination, all remaining trust property shall pass to
[alternate remainder beneficiary] if [he] [she] is alive at the time of
trust termination. [continue in like manner for additional alternates]
L. Spendthrift Provision
This is a spendthrift trust, that is, to the fullest extent permitted by
law, no interest in the income or principal of this trust may be
voluntarily or involuntarily transferred by any beneficiary before
payment or delivery of the interest by the trustee.
M. Principal and Income
The trustee shall have the discretion to credit a receipt or charge an
expenditure to income or principal or partly to each in any manner which
the trustee determines to be reasonable and equitable.
N. Trustee Powers
The trustee shall have [all powers granted to trustees under [name of
state] law.
[or]
The trustee shall have the following powers: [enumerate trustee powers]
O. Exculpatory Clause
The trustee shall not be liable for any loss, cost, damage, or expense
sustained through any error of judgment or in any other manner except
for and as a result of a trustee’s own bad faith or gross negligence.
[Note: Additional provisions will be necessary if the animal and its
offspring are valuable from a monetary standpoint.]