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Pets in Your Will
In this document, you:
• State the pets that are covered • Name a caretaker • Leave an amount of money to be used for pet care • Describe how the pet should be cared for • Name a person to go to court and enforce the terms of the trust, if necessary • State what should be done with any money that’s left over when the animal passes Legacy Arrangements Unfortunately, not everybody has a person both willing and able to take care of their pets, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have options! Several organizations that allow you to leave your pet to a trustworthy caretaker, such as programs with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), veterinary school programs, and private animal sanctuaries and rescue organizations. All pet owners want to be sure their furry friends are well cared for after they pass, so be sure to give careful consideration to the best ways to provide for their lifetime care.
You can actually use your will to leave your pet and the money to take care of them to a trusted caretaker. I like to think of it this way — if my health was declining and I was concerned about what will happen to my beloved dog when I pass, I would ask a trusted friend to look after them. Unfortunately, my friend is on a tight budget and isn’t sure how they will pay for food, vet bills, and occasional boarding. I would use my will to leave my dog to my friend and leave my friend some extra money for my dog’s care. This type of arrangement is legal in the sense that my dog will legally belong to my friend. However, my friend has no legal obligation to use that money on my dog. If he used the money to play the lottery, there would be no legal recourse. So, it’s always a good idea to name an alternate caretaker in case your first choice cannot do the job.
Pet Trusts
A stronger, but more complex and expensive legal option is to make a pet trust. With this trust, you can designate money and a legal obligation to care for your pet. If the caretaker fails to follow your instructions, they can be sued.
CAN YOU GET A TICKET FOR CROSSING THE ROAD?
severe injuries. In addition, jaywalking can clog up traffic and increase the chances of accidents if pedestrians or drivers aren’t paying attention. Why do people jaywalk? There are several reasons why people decide to jaywalk. • They’re in a hurry and choose to jaywalk to reach their destination faster. • The crosswalk could be too far away or in the direction they don’t want to go , so they take a shortcut by crossing the middle of the street. • They may not see a car coming. • They are following someone else. • They may be drinking or otherwise distracted — or they simply think jaywalking isn’t a big deal. Where is jaywalking illegal? Although jaywalking isn’t illegal on the federal level, most jurisdictions have penalties and citations for it. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all law for jaywalking because the rules and regulations vary by state. Some states may only issue tickets if you’re causing a traffic hazard, while others may give you a fine. Be sure you know the jaywalking laws in your state. If you’re visiting other places, ensure you know their rules, so you don’t find yourself with a citation and a traffic court date — or worse, a life-changing injury.
Have you crossed the street outside of the crosswalk or designated area? Or have you been waiting for the crosswalk sign to give you the right of way and crossed when you weren’t allowed? This is known as jaywalking, and although it may sound harmless, it’s extremely dangerous and illegal in most states. Why is jaywalking a crime? The main reason jaywalking is illegal is to prevent car accidents and pedestrian deaths. More than 7,000 pedestrians were killed in 2020 because of traffic accidents. By crossing the road without having the right of way, you’re more likely to get struck by a vehicle and receive
2 • www.lawyersreadytofight.com
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