Your dog might run your home, your heart, and your schedule, but legally, he’s still property.
In this episode, Jill explores how to make sure your beloved pets are cared for after you’re gone. From Diane Keaton’s rumored estate plan for her dog, Reggie, to Jill’s own story of Oliver—the “best dog in the universe”—this episode walks through what pet trusts are, how they work, and how to decide if you need one.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

What a Pet Trust Is. A legal arrangement that sets aside money for your pet’s care after you die. You name a trustee to manage funds and a caretaker to look after your pet.

Why Pet Trusts Exist. Under the law, pets are considered property, not people, so they can’t directly inherit money. A pet trust bridges that gap.

How a Pet Trust Works.

You (the settlor) create the trust during life or through your will.
You name a trustee (manages the funds) and a caretaker (provides day-to-day care).
You decide how much to set aside and how detailed to make your instructions, down to your dog’s diet, vet, and favorite toy.

Real-Life Examples.

Leona Helmsley left $12 million to a trust for the benefit of her dog, Trouble. A court reduced that amount to $2 million.
Headlines suggest that Diane Keaton’s estate plan may include a pet trust for her dog, Reggie.

Cost-Benefit Perspective. Not everyone needs a formal pet trust. For some, sharing a completed Pet Information Sheet with a trusted friend is enough. The goal is to do what’s appropriately protective for your life stage—not necessarily the “perfect” plan.

Resources & Links

Download the pet information sheet here.

Check out our recent episode: Why you need (or don’t need) a Will

Connect with Jill:

Website: DeathReadiness.com
Email: jill@deathreadiness.com
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This podcast provides estate planning guidance for women and discusses real, practical issues, from caregiving, pre-planning a funeral, how to avoid probate using beneficiary designations, planning for individuals with special needs (and special needs trusts), whether you need a professional fiduciary (trustee or executor), how the estate tax works and how to preserve your legacy.

Tuesday Triage episodes answer questions from listeners like you, from powers of attorney, healthcare advance directives (and whether they work when you’re pregnant), what a Last Will and Testament really is, whether you need a trust, how Medicaid works and how to have senior and elder care conversations and how to care for aging parents.

Disclaimer: This podcast and all related content are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established here. Use of this information without careful analysis and review by your attorney, CPA, and/or financial advisor may cause serious adverse consequences. For legal guidance tailored to your unique situation, consult with a licensed attorney in your state.