Your Will, and your pets

18 years ago

Have you written your will? Or even thought about it?

We have many Kters who are passionate about their pets. More and more I am seeing pets mentioned in the list of survivors in the obituaries.

The most recent one included "her two feathered babies."

I know, I know, it is none of my concern, and everybody to their own opinion. Just made me wonder though.

Will you, or would you, want your pets included in your obituary?

Sue

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Comments (15)

kathi_mdgd
18 years ago
When my neighbor died a few years ago,his obituary mentioned his dog before it mentioned his daughter.That was the first time i had ever seen that.His DD was ok with it,since he left her all his property and everything else.3 houses plus all his insurance,and everything else he had.He knew the dog was old and wouldn't last much longer,so his DD just had to keep him til it was time to put him down,which wasn't long.

We don't have any pets anymore,nor do we want any.
Kathi
msmarion
18 years ago
I included my Dad's dog Penny in his. She was his reason for getting up each morning.
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phyllis__mn
18 years ago
I think it's just being a little too "cute". I haven't seen this in obituraries as yet, but we live in the backlog of America, so no doubt will be seeing it soon!
nanny98
18 years ago
Obituary , maybe not....will, I understand that. Companion pets are sometimes (most times?) the only warm body that the older folks have in their lives. I don't have a pet at present, but its' care upon my death woule be a grave concern.
kframe19
18 years ago
My will includes provisions for any of my current animals at the time of my death.

It also includes very strict instructions that Ruger's urn is to be buried with me, my left hand on it.
azzalea
18 years ago
DH and I were just reading an obit last night that listed the deceased "two special friends" giving names that had to be animals of one sort or another.

Having just gone through the process of burying someone--I know just how expensive it put extra words in obituaries. I'm not the sort of person who wants to write their own, in any case, but I certainly hope my surviving relatives have the good sense not to spend money on something like that--when the pet can't even read to know they were honored. Everyone's entitled to their opinion--mine is that that's just plain silly.

As to my will? Again, that's to see that the important PEOPLE in my life are taken care of after I've gone. Animals, while loved and important in my life, will never be elevated to the place of a human in my mind. Besides, I know I can trust my dd to see that any pets I leave behind will be taken care of, even if I do not leave such a clause in my will. Again--different people see this situation differently. I'm just giving my take on things.
alisande
18 years ago
I had my mother's Pug, Dukie, buried with her. I've never seen pets mentioned in obituaries, though.
grammahony
18 years ago
When my Mom goes, her ashes will be put in the granite urn with my Dad's. Bo, her last sheltie, will be placed in there too. Bo has a very pretty urn herself already. This is my Mom's wishes. If Bo was still living, she'd go to my sister or myself. I'm not sure if she'd have been mentioned in my Mom's obituary, but probably would have been. She was my Mom's shadow. But she'd have not been in the will. We 3 girls have always been told by Mom her wishes, and agree with/to them. Mom has her funeral all planned out, and paid for. She just has to get a headstone for her and dad.
Leslie
Linda Wayman
18 years ago
The past few months I've seen pets names mentioned in obituaries. I don't know if I would want it done or not for myself. I have made arrangements for my pets to be taken care of if Bob and I both should perish before they do.

Linda
talley_sue_nyc
18 years ago
Our friend who died in the car accident a couple of years ago listed plans for her pets, and set aside money for their care to be given to those people.

However, I know that none of the pets actually went to the people listed in the will--they went to good homes, and perhaps better homes than the original plan. But I don't know if the court will allow the people who got the pets to get the money. The people involved might have to do a "good will" arrangement where the person who was willed custody of the pet, then turns over the pet AND the money to the person who is more willing or able to take care of them.

So, when you set up your will, try to make it flexible enough that if circumstances change (a friend who once said they would take your dog won't now be able to, or a better choice enters your life), your executor can still be fair. I think my friend should have designated one person to make the decision of who gets the pet, but perhaps expressed her preferences in a nonbinding way, and then set up the money as a separate trust.
irishdancersgram
18 years ago
I do worry about our fur babies if something would happen to either of us..Heck my DH won't even go on vacation because he feels they won't be taken care of as well as he does...
I've seen pets listed in our local paper's obits and I'm sure we'll do the same...They are our "kids" and will be taken care of.....
At one time I volunteered with a cat/kitten organization and in the adoption contract, it was stated, upon death or the "parent" the cat/kitten would be returned unless a family member would take over...We just didn't want the pet to be sent to a shelter or put outside....
eccentric
18 years ago
I live in Canada. In Canada, pets are chattels. I am terrified that my husband and I will die together, leaving our pet without family. (My husband has family, but they would not take our dog.) We had our wills redone, naming our executor as the person to take in our dog - and left a sizeable amount of our assets to her for his care - and in gratitude to her for taking him in. But should we die together, her circumstances may have changed and legally not be able to take in our dog (too many of her own etc.). Or she could die. We have listed a Plan B person -also to receive a sum of money. The lawyer thought we were nuts - and had us sign a form indicating we were going against his advice. Funny, when we did our previous wills, the lawyer was wonderful - he had a much loved dog as well - and did caution us though that in Canada, the person can take your money but has no obligation to take your pets. This we knew so it is necessary to pick your people wisely. The second lawyer was indignant and kept asking us how much money it could possibly cost to raise a pet - obviously he didn't have a major little chewing Hoover at home - and besides it isn't just about medical bills and new sofas it is about gratitude. So if we go together in an accident (I hate flying on same plane as my husband) our first choice now gets double the initial amount! Unfortunately, many people think that their children/grandchildren etc. will take in their pets - just speak to people in rescues - many of the beloved pets are dumped by family after they pick up their inheritance checks. We are in our late 50s - in good health - but you never know what will happen. Our dog is 4 - we did not intend 4 years ago to get such a young dog - it just happened. He will be our last dog as I am too scared of what would happen should we die. Pets to me are people and have always been my family. Not everyone shares my view - but many do - and pets sure are nicer than my family ever was. I know there are places in the states that are setting up retirement homes that you can endow so that your pets will have a nice place to live for the rest of their lives. Personally, I would like us all to go tegether. My dog is a breed that does well with his own family - and a few chosen special people. This breed does not do well in shelters and I worry about this. I do not intend to have a funeral and I do not want an obituary and sure hope that if I do die first that my husband honour's my wishes - as stated in our wills and in separate documentation. But if I did have an obit - our dog - and especially my 2 soul mate dogs who hopefully are on Rainbow Bridge - and there had better be a Bridge - would be listed as my pre-deceased family.
stephmc72
18 years ago
I wouldn't have my dog listed in my obituary and she's not in our trust (don't have a will), but if something were to happen to us now, she would live with my parents, it's pretty much just a given.
dotmom
18 years ago
I see it quite often, pets named in obits. When my Son died in May, his wife wanted his dog, Cheyanne's ashes buried with him. but it was against the health rules, or something. I worry about out living my cat, and hopefully I won't. She is almost 18 and in declining health as I am. Morbbid thought...maybe its a race to the end for she & I. LOL. Dottie
kittiemom
18 years ago
I hadn't thought about having them mentioned in the obit, but I like the idea. They are our babies. Ours are in our will. Instructions are left on where they should go & money is set aside for their care.

Your Will, and your pets

Comments (15)

kathi_mdgd

msmarion

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