Submitted by NanY on Wed, 08/31/2011 - 07:48
Posted in
This sounds like a strange request but I was wondering if I can amend my will to leave some money to my cat who, because she is so young, will likely outlive me. I'm also thinking about getting a dog. Some of the ladies I occasionally eat lunch with told me that the law in Massachusetts has changed so that it's now possible to leave money to pets. Is that so?
Last will to leave money to pet
Not exactly. Under a new law recently signed by the Governor, a pet owner in Massachusetts can create a trust that will allow a trustee or other party to car for their pets after they die. However, you should not attempt to leave money or other assets to a cat or dog (any pet) in will. Because a pet is not a 'person' in the eyes of the law, it cannot inherit through a will. If you try to do that, the bequest will be void and the money will, instead, go to whoever your will designates to inherit the residue of your estate (that which is not inherited by other named parties). Hope that helps. If you are interested in setting up a trust for your pet, I encourage you to talk to a MA estate planning attorney.