Pet Protection
Easy Foil- Grilled Sausage and Vegetables
HOW YOUR ESTATE PLAN CAN HELP SECURE YOUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBER’S FUTURE
Our pets are more than just animals; they’re family! And like any member of your family, you want to protect them in the event you become incapacitated or pass away. As with others you love, the best way to protect your pets is to include them in your estate plan. However, this is where pets deviate from family. Pets are not like the other loved ones named in your estate plan because, legally speaking, pets are property. That means you cannot leave any money or assets to your pets because, as property, they cannot “own” anything. But you can still easily protect them. The first step is finding someone you trust to care for your animal if you cannot and adding this provision to your estate plan. This person should be someone who knows your pet well and agrees to take on this responsibility for you, if they need to. You will also need to designate a backup caretaker, should the person you assign to this role be unable to do so. Another option is to specify with your estate plan that your pet go to a specific rescue, no- kill shelter, or farm. As with the people you ask to care for your animals, you will need to confirm with the organization that this is possible. The second step in this process involves setting up funds to help those who will take charge of your pet after you pass. For example, you may choose to leave money or set up a trust to help cover the added expenses your pet’s new owner will incur. Finally , including your pet in your estate plan or in other long-term planning can ensure that you don’t have to give up the companionship of your favorite furry, feathered, or scaled friend while you’re still living. You can make arrangements with at-home care services, or we can draft living wills that can help you establish your wishes for treatment your pet may receive in the event you’re unable to make those decisions due to incapacitation or recovery from surgery or other ailments. The courts may consider your pet property, but the legal steps you can take to protect them are designed to allow you to make plans like you would for any other member of your family. At Douglass & Runger, we can help you establish plans to protect your pets. Visit DouglassRunger.com to learn more, including further details about our other legal services.
Inspired by NutmegNanny.com
Dinner is ready in 30 minutes with this easy, seasonal August sausage and vegetable bake.
INGREDIENTS • 4 sausage links of your choice • 1 lb green beans • 1 red bell pepper, diced • 1 yellow bell pepper, diced • 1 red onion, diced • 1 zucchini, diced • 1 yellow summer squash, diced
• 3 tbsp olive oil • 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1 tbsp thyme • 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp basil • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat your grill to medium heat or your oven to 425 F. 2. In a large bowl, add all of the ingredients and mix well. Divide into four equal portions. 3. Prepare four 16-inch pieces of foil and place a portion in the middle of each section. Wrap each foil piece tightly and avoid holes. 4. Grill each foil packet for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through. You can also bake each packet for 20 minutes at 425 F.
INSPIRATION “Quality is not an act, it is a habit.”
– Aristotle
901-388-5805 • 3
Made with FlippingBook Annual report maker