FURRY FRIENDS, HAPPY HOMES
Create a Comfortable Haven for Your Canine Companion
We consistently adjust and add things to our homes to make them more comfortable, but we should remember our furry friends, too! Our dogs also deserve a comfy spot to rest, and it’s as easy as picking up a few items from your local home improvement store.
to this behavior. The next time you’re out, pick up a bitter apple spray and use it on your baseboards, furniture legs, and anything else your dog may chew on to prevent them from tearing up your home. You might not think you need to buy new appliances when you get a dog, but it can help you maintain your home better. Certain vacuum cleaners pick up pet hair better than others. Additionally, you will need to run their beds and toys through the washer and dryer at some point, so ensure your appliances are up for the task.
Since dogs spend most of their time on the ground, especially if you don’t allow your pups on furniture, you should make extra efforts to ensure the floor fits their needs. As dogs grow older, they will need more traction to move around. Soft rugs can provide them with a snug spot to rest. You might think that installing carpet is a better option, but dogs can have accidents and get sick more frequently as they age, putting your carpet at risk. Many stores also sell comfy, machine-washable dog beds at reasonable prices. Another area of your home you should pay attention to is your baseboards, as your furry friend may mistake them for chew toys. This is much more common in puppies, but dogs of all ages are susceptible
Finally, make sure you have a doormat or something for the dogs to walk over near your doors. This will prevent them from tracking mud, dirt, and other debris into your home.
Bringing home a dog can be fun but requires preparation. Take these steps to ensure your dog is comfortable and your house is fully puppy-
proofed for their arrival.
Transfer Trouble
LIMITATIONS AND RISKS OF TRANSFER ON DEATH DEEDS
Disinheriting by Mistake If a will and TODD contain conflicting information regarding property inheritance, it can cause significant problems for your beneficiaries. Old TODDs can also resurface and derail other estate plan documents representing the deceased’s most recent and accurate wishes. Because of this, it is important to revoke TODDs before completing new estate plan agreements. Potentially Costly With TODDs, there is no warranty of title, which means a property owner’s debts may be passed on to their beneficiary along with the property. In effect, your beneficiary may be liable for your financial obligations, which can cause undue economic hardship. Another shortcoming with TODDs is that, unlike wills, they cannot be amended and must be revoked. If you want to rework a TODD, you must incur the costs of drafting one entirely from scratch, making the money you spent on your previous TODD meaningless.
Many once-complicated processes have become simplified in the modern age of convenience, such as booking a hotel room online. It can be tempting to try to simplify other parts of our lives with a couple of
clicks on a computer. However, when it comes to estate planning, simple does not always mean better . An example of this is the Transfer on Death Deed or TODD. TODDs allow you to name a beneficiary who will receive your property upon your passing. While this seems like an elegant and hassle-free way to establish your inheritance, it has significant downsides and potential pitfalls. Joint Ownership One of the greatest points of contention around TODDs involves joint ownership. If you are a joint owner of a property, the other joint owner will inherit sole ownership upon your death — regardless of whether there is a TODD on record. This is an especially important issue for married couples, who often share joint ownership of a property, such as a home; this joint ownership will supersede the TODD, even if the intended beneficiary is someone other than your spouse.
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