Pet Trusts

Pet Trusts in Jacksonville, FL

A Pet Trust lays out instructions on how a pet should be cared for after its owner passes away. A caretaker is usually chosen to be responsible for the pet’s day-to-day care. Funds are allocated to the trust to pay for various expenses such as food, veterinary care, and recreation.

A trustee is chosen to manage the trust’s funds and oversees the caretaker’s compensation for caring for the animal. As another level of protection, a client can also choose to appoint an enforcer, who oversees the trustee. Once the animal passes away, the remaining funds can then be redistributed to the living beneficiaries or a charity of the client’s choosing.

A trust may be created to provide for the care of an animal alive during the settlor’s lifetime. The trust terminates on the death of the animal or, if the trust was created to provide for the care of more than one animal alive during the settlor’s lifetime, on the death of the last surviving animal.

(2) A trust authorized by this section may be enforced by a person appointed in the terms of the trust or, if no person is appointed, by a person appointed by the court. A person having an interest in the welfare of the animal may request the court to appoint a person to enforce the trust or to remove a person appointed.

(3) Property of a trust authorized by this section may be applied only to the intended use of the property, except to the extent the court determines that the value of the trust property exceeds the amount required for the intended use. Except as otherwise provided in the terms of the trust, property not required for the intended use must be distributed to the settlor, if then living, otherwise as part of the settlor’s estate.