Dear Trust Officer: Can I provide something for my pets in my will? Didn’t Leona Helmsley set up a trust for her dog?
— THOUGHTFUL ANIMAL LOVER
DEAR THOUGHTFUL ANIMAL LOVER :
Yes, Mrs. Helmsley did create a $12 million trust to care for her pet, Trouble. However, the probate court subsequently reduced the size of the trust to $2 million, reasoning that a fund of that size should be plenty to keep Trouble in doggie treat heaven and out of mischief. More recently, there has been press speculation that Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, may become an heiress, as Lagerfeld died childless (details of his estate plans are not yet available).
More and more states are changing their laws to permit pet owners to provide lifetime financial support for their companion animals. Alternatively, you may want to explore having more specific instructions identifying the caregiver for your pets, the standard of living to be provided, the schedule of vet visits, and the plan for financial distributions.
These are matters that you should explore with the attorney who handles your estate planning. Don’t feel embarrassed to bring up the subject of planning for your pets. As the Helmsley case shows, estate planning for pets is going mainstream.
Do you have a question concerning estate planning? Send your inquiry to Terry Richards at trichards@tckansas.com.