Our pets are part of our families. They depend on us for their care and wellbeing. Gentreo™, a leader in online estate planning, has announced Gentreo Pets, a pet-specific package that includes all the documents that pet owners need to ensure quality of care and provide for their pets in an emergency.
It's the first pet-specific bundle offering available in the estate planning industry.
Whether the pet is a dog or cat, bird or horse, Gentreo's state-specific and legally binding documents help pet owners provide for their pets and protect their wellbeing, including a:
- Pet Trust
- Pet Power of Attorney
- Pet Information Sheet
Plus, membership includes all pet documents and secure storage in Gentreo's proprietary Digital Vault, where they can share the documents with caregivers and other individuals of their choosing. With the Vault, anyone the pet owner chooses can access documents and information in an emergency with just a couple of clicks.
I had a chance to learn more in this interview.
Why do people often overlook pets when it comes to estate planning?
Although we love our pets like family, many pet parents forget to include their pets in their estate plans. They often don't realize that their pets are actually property, and must be accounted for accordingly in estate planning documents such as a Will. Some may assume that a family member or friend will take on the care of their pet if they pass away unexpectedly, but sadly and many times in these scenarios, the pet is ultimately abandoned or taken to a shelter.
Additionally, if the pet parent is going on vacation or extended travel and leaves their pet with a sitter, they don't consider the consequences if something happens to their pet and they aren't available to authorize an expensive treatment.
Why do families need to think about what will happen to pets if something happens to them?
Every single year 1.3 million pets enter animal shelters due to the death of their owners, and worse still, about 650,000 are euthanized. This is horrific for us pet parents to think about, but it's important to be aware of the worst case scenario so that we can do what we can to prevent it.
It's also important to think about our pet's care and wellbeing while we're alive. When you travel and leave your pet behind, it's not enough to simply give your pet sitter or caregiver a piece of paper with their vet and emergency contact information. If your pet gets injured or sick and needs expensive veterinary treatment or surgery, most vets will not provide the necessary services without legal authorization from the pet owner because they are concerned about getting paid for their services. If your pet's vet is unable to reach you, your pet may suffer.
What are some important legal documents that should be created when it comes to pets?
One of the most important documents to have when it comes to pets is a Pet Power of Attorney. In this document, you appoint a person to take care of your pet when you are unavailable, either due to travel or incapacity. With this document, the caregiver you choose for your pet is authorized to make decisions about their care and any veterinary treatments they need while you're away. You can set limits for the extent, length of time, and financial amounts the caregiver is authorized with under the Power of Attorney.
Another important estate planning document for pet owners to have is a Pet Trust. This document is used in the event that you pass away before your pet, and allows you to appoint a Caregiver for your pet, a Trustee to manage the finances you set aside for your pet's care, and a Protector to ensure your wishes are followed. With a Pet Trust, you can be sure your pet will be cared for according to your wishes and allows you to fund your Trust to provide financial allotment for their care after you pass away.
If you cannot afford to fund a Pet Trust and provide financially for your pet's care after you pass away, you should at least be sure to give them to a family member or friend in your Will. This is because pets are legally considered to be property, and would go to your chosen beneficiary in your Will upon your death. By including your pet in your Will in this way, you can at least be sure they will be entrusted to the care of the person you choose.
Finally, we all probably leave our pets with a sitter or caregiver at some point, and it's helpful to keep all of the relevant details and information about your pet's care in one accessible place. For these cases, it's a good idea to have a Pet Information Sheet that includes your pet's emergency and vet contact information, feeding and exercise routines, medications and even things like their favorite toys, activities or walking routes.
Gentreo Pets includes all of these documents, so that you can protect and provide for your pet today and tomorrow. Learn more at https://www.gentreo.com/pets.
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