A trust is a legal tool that allows you to provide funds for the care of your pets or domestic animals upon your death or incapacity, and to specify how the funds will be used.

If you do not have an animal trust, your legal representatives are not permitted to direct money from your estate to care for animals unless all of the beneficiaries of your estate consent. Without such consent, you must rely on the generosity of friends or family to provide financial support and care for your pets and animals.

Michigan law allows you to set aside a "reasonable" amount of money for animal care upon your death or incapacity. The funds may be used as you direct, including cremation or burial services. You may also direct how any leftover funds will be distributed.

The same person can act as both trustee (managing the funds) and caregiver of your animals. However, you can also appoint different individuals to these roles if you prefer.

A single trust can be established to cover the care of multiple pets and animlas, with specific instructions and funding allocated for each.

We can include provisions for successor caregivers in the trust document to ensure a smooth transition of care.

A pet trust allows you designate a trustee to ensure that the terms of the trust are being carried out in good faith. If necessary, the trustee may petition a probate court to enforce the terms of the trust.

Pet Trusts are included at no cost with any Core Estate Plan. 

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