In the unfortunate circumstance where an owner no longer possesses their mental capacity\u00a0 or sadly passes away, it\u2019s not always clear what will happen to their pets. For owners living\u00a0 alone, it\u2019s essential to make arrangements for their pets in case they can no longer look after\u00a0 them.<\/p>\n
Owners have plenty of options when choosing who will care for their pets. A lasting power of\u00a0 attorney enables the owner to transfer authority to a trusted individual who will continue to\u00a0 take action in the way you have decided after losing your mental capacity. When an owner\u00a0 dies, it\u2019s also important to decide where your pet will live. This detail can be specified within\u00a0 your will to ensure your wishes are fulfilled after death.<\/p>\n
At Redkite Solicitors, we understand that you\u2019ll always want the best for your pets. Preparing\u00a0 for a time when you can no longer care for them guarantees they\u2019ll continue to have a happy\u00a0 and comfortable life. For expert advice on lasting powers of attorney or will writing, speak to\u00a0 one of our solicitors today.<\/p>\n
To account for your pet\u2019s life after your death, it is possible to include instructions for caring\u00a0 for your pets within your will. This legal document indicates how you would like your estate to\u00a0 be distributed amongst your beneficiaries. Within a will, you can determine how your money\u00a0 and property will be distributed, as well as who will take care of your pets in the eventuality\u00a0 of your death.<\/p>\n
Considering where your pets will live is a critical factor that encourages many people to write\u00a0 their animals into their will. You can include simple clauses leaving the animal to a named\u00a0 friend or family member. However, it is essential to remember the financial burden you are\u00a0 handing over to this individual.<\/p>\n
Some pet owners decide to create discretionary trusts to set aside money to cover certain\u00a0 expenses. As any pet owner will know, pet insurance, specialist food, and vet bills are costly\u00a0 expenditures. When making arrangements for after their death, owners can consider\u00a0 whether a trustee should receive money to fund the decisions they have made for their pet.<\/p>\n
If rehoming your pets with a friend or family member isn\u2019t viable, several charities will provide\u00a0 care for your pet or rehome them with a new family. For example, the RSPCA\u2019s Home for\u00a0 Life scheme can be written into your will. The RSPCA will then take responsibility for finding\u00a0 a new home for your pet after your death.<\/p>\n
Pet owners who already have a will can easily include a new clause that specifies how you\u00a0 would like your pet cared for after you\u2019re gone. In the eyes of the law, pets are seen as your\u00a0 property, just like any other belonging you own. Therefore to pass your pet onto a new<\/p>\n
owner, all you need to do is name the recipient as a beneficiary in your will, along with the\u00a0 pet\u2019s name.<\/p>\n
If there\u2019s nobody in your life that can take on the responsibility of caring for your pet, you can\u00a0 also consider naming a rescue group or charity as the beneficiary that will become their\u00a0 guardian. You could also consider leaving a donation in your will to demonstrate gratitude for\u00a0 caring for your animal companion after your passing.<\/p>\n
If you require any specialist guidance whilst writing your will, don\u2019t hesitate to contact\u00a0 Redkite Solicitors. Our specialist solicitors can help secure the future you desire for your\u00a0 pets.<\/p>\n
With up to 52% of the adult population owning a pet, it is clear that here in the UK, we have\u00a0 a soft spot for our fuzzy friends. However, owning a pet comes with plenty of responsibility.\u00a0 To be correctly taken care of, pets require specific food, exercise and routines. If you could\u00a0 no longer take care of your pet, imagine how lost they would feel.<\/p>\n
There is a fast-rising trend among UK pet owners that involves putting measures in place to\u00a0 protect the best interests of pets, even after losing the ability to care for them. Plenty of\u00a0 owners have considered putting a lasting power of attorney in place to ensure their needs\u00a0 are taken care of in the long run.<\/p>\n
A lasting power of attorney is a legal document that allows you to select a trusted individual\u00a0 to make decisions if you no longer have the mental capacity to make them yourself. Whilst\u00a0 this is typically implemented for healthcare and financial-related decisions. For pet owners,<\/p>\n
an LPA could be submitted detailing how the pet should be taken care of in the event of their\u00a0 owner\u2019s illness or disability.<\/p>\n
By appointing a trusted attorney to care for your pet, you can specify whether the pet\u00a0 continues to live with you and make arrangements for daily food and exercise. You may also\u00a0 designate an individual or charity to re-home the pet and determine monthly or weekly visits.<\/p>\n
To appoint a lasting power of attorney, you must currently be over 18 years of age with full\u00a0 mental capacity. You can then decide who will be your attorney. This is the person or people\u00a0 that will make decisions for your health, finances, pets, or other personal choices on your\u00a0 behalf. You can appoint more than one person to be your attorney, but you must decide\u00a0 whether decisions should be made independently or agreed upon together.<\/p>\n
Next, a series of forms must be submitted to legally register the lasting power of attorney. At\u00a0 Redkite Solicitors, we recommend utilising the services of an experienced solicitor to\u00a0 complete this documentation as they can make certain that an LPA is set up to ensure your\u00a0 decisions are made in the way you intend.<\/p>\n
Finally, you must register your lasting power of attorney with the Office of the Public <\/u>\u00a0Guardian<\/u>. This is a branch of the UK government that works to help residents of England\u00a0 and Wales stay in control of their decisions and help those unable to make their own\u00a0 decisions. Your solicitor can assist in the process and, upon request, can also inform your attorneys of their responsibilities. It typically takes up to 20 weeks to register your LPA\u00a0 before the document becomes legally binding.<\/p>\nSummary<\/h2>\n
One of the simplest ways to ensure your pets are cared for in the manner you intend is by\u00a0 registering a lasting power of attorney or making arrangements in your will. This allows pet\u00a0 owners to provide specific instructions for the care of or relocation of the pet in\u00a0 circumstances where you can no longer care for them. This arrangement guarantees that\u00a0 you have taken care of them as a pet owner, even when you have lost the ability.<\/p>\n
While creating your lasting power of attorney or writing a will, you may find it helpful to enlist\u00a0 the services of a professional solicitor. An LPA isn\u2019t typically utilised to make arrangements\u00a0 for your pets, but it guarantees that there are instructions in place for how they are taken\u00a0 care of. At Redkite Solicitors, we can provide the guidance you need to complete either\u00a0 process without hassle. Get in touch today to speak with one of our solicitors and receive\u00a0 expert advice from start to finish.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"