The table below is a quick introduction to the pet trust documents for including animals in estate planning:
| The Documents… | In the Will (valid only after death) |
Attorney writes from Scratch (valid before & after death) |
Pet Protection Agreement® (valid before & after death) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Must be drafted by an attorney | No | Yes | No |
| Funds must be used for pets care | No | Yes | Yes |
| Court may reduce funds | Yes | Yes | No |
| Must include funds | No | Yes | No |
| Legal in all states | No | No | Yes |
| Valid after pet owner’s death | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Valid during pet owner’s life and after pet owner’s death | No | Yes | Yes |