Your furry family members deserve more than just love — they deserve a future.
If you’re a pet owner in North Carolina, you likely consider your pets as part of your family. But under state law, pets are classified as personal property. This means that unless you specifically plan for their care in your estate documents, they could be treated just like a car or a piece of furniture—given away without any consideration of their needs or your wishes.
Estate planning isn’t just about money or real estate. It’s about protecting what matters most—including the well-being of your pets when you’re no longer here to care for them.
Why Planning for Your Pets Matters
While North Carolina allows you to leave your pets to someone in your will or trust, simply naming a beneficiary isn’t enough. Pets require ongoing care, and you’ll want to ensure that whoever takes over their responsibility is ready, willing, and financially able to provide for them.
Without a plan, your pets could:
- End up in a shelter or rescue organization
- Be given to someone unable or unwilling to care for them
- Experience emotional distress due to abrupt or unsuitable changes in environment
How to Include Pets in Your Will or Trust
There are several effective ways to plan for your pet’s care:
1. Name a Caregiver in Your Will or Trust
Choose someone you trust to love and care for your pet as you would. Always speak with them first to confirm they’re open to the responsibility.
2. Leave Funds for Pet Care
While you can’t leave money directly to your pet, you can allocate funds to the caregiver for the purpose of providing food, medical care, and other necessities.
3. Create a Pet Trust
A pet trust is a more comprehensive solution. It allows you to:
- Designate a caregiver
- Appoint a trustee to manage the funds
- Specify how the money should be used
- Outline detailed care instructions (diet, routines, vets, etc.)
- Set conditions for what happens if the pet dies before the funds are used up
This approach provides the highest level of legal protection and assurance for your pet’s future.
Important Considerations When Planning for Pets
When preparing your estate plan, consider the following:
- Type of pet
Dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, and horses may all have different needs. - Pet’s life expectancy
Younger pets may require long-term planning. - Specific needs
Medication, grooming, or special diets. - Successor caregivers
Always name a backup, just in case your first choice is unable to serve.
Real-World Example
Imagine this
You’ve been living with your senior rescue dog, Max, for 10 years. You pass away unexpectedly without a will. Max ends up at a shelter where no one knows his medical history or behavioral needs. With proper planning, Max could have gone straight to your sister—his favorite human after you—along with a $5,000 fund to cover his vet bills and specialty food.
Don’t Leave Their Future to Chance
At Sabrina Winters, Attorney at Law, PLLC, we help North Carolina families build estate plans that reflect their values, including how to best care for their pets. Whether through a will, a trust, or a dedicated pet trust, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
Ready to Protect Your Pet’s Future?
Schedule your strategy session today and make sure your beloved pet is protected—no matter what tomorrow brings.
📅 Visit sabrinawinterslaw.com to get started.