Illinois Pet Trusts

Assisting clients with pet trusts in St. Charles, IL, Kane County, DuPage County and throughout the Fox Valley.

For many pet owners, pets are members of the family. Given the feelings of many individuals towards their pets, and the costs of care and longevity of some types of pets, planning in this area can be of critical importance.

Today, under Illinois law, an individual can create a trust in his or her estate plan for the care of the pet.  It is important to consider the amount required to care for the animal over the term of the trust.

The pet’s current standard of care determines the amount required to provide care for the pet. Factors include: the cost of daily care (food, treats, and daycare), veterinary care (yearly teeth cleaning, shots, nail trimming, and emergency care), grooming, boarding, travel expenses, and pet insurance. Additional factors may apply in particular cases. For example, horses are expensive to maintain and require exercise, training, and a large tract of land; some birds and reptiles have very long life expectancies; and care of some pets will require construction of a special habitat on the caregiver’s property.

By discussing these issues with your estate planning attorney, pet owners can ensure that all of their loved ones are cared for, even when the owner is unable to care for them directly.