When planning your estate in North Carolina, there’s much to consider. Sadly, there are certain beloved members of the family that many people forget when they start. You will want to include your pets in your estate planning. It will ensure that they will be taken care of in the event of your death or incapacity.

Include them in your will

Part of your estate planning should include a will. In the will, you can designate a specific amount of money that should go toward caring for your pet and how the money should be spent on them. Include instructions that describe the type of food, medication and care your pet needs as well. Of course, you should also list a trusted person who should take your pet after you have passed away.

Set up a pet trust

It’s a good idea to create a pet trust to ensure that your pet is protected. You can choose a revocable trust that can be modified throughout the rest of your life or an irrevocable trust that cannot be changed. Depending on your preference, you can have this trust set up specifically for your pet or include assets in it as well. Whichever option you go with, you will have to choose a trustee to manage it. This person can also be named as your pet’s caretaker or you can choose a separate person to fill that role.

Make legacy arrangements

Sadly, not every pet owner is able to find a person who will agree to take their pet after they are gone. If this is the case for you, you might want to consider turning elsewhere. You can check to see if a rescue group, veterinary school or other animal organization would agree to care for your pet once you’re gone. It’s worth looking into these options to ensure that your furry, feathered or scaled loved one will be taken care of when you’re no longer around.