Niner is more than a dog at The Heritance Lawyers. He is the office’s Director of Employee Satisfaction, professional ball chaser, lap enthusiast, and occasional stubborn walking companion. His story also highlights an important question for every California pet owner: what would happen to your pet if you could no longer care for them?
Estate planning for pets can help you prepare for that possibility. A thoughtful plan can identify someone you trust to care for your pet, provide financial resources for that care, and communicate the routines and needs that make your pet feel at home.
Meet Niner, The Heritance Lawyers’ Director of Employee Satisfaction
Every workplace has someone who makes the day a little better. At The Heritance Lawyers, that job belongs to Niner, a French Bulldog who grew up coming to the office and eventually earned the title of Director of Employee Satisfaction because everyone loves having him around.
Niner’s story started with two pug puppies. His family had recently lost two pugs, so they found puppies for their mothers and brought one into the office while they waited to take him north. The office quickly became attached to having a puppy around, and when the puppy left, everyone noticed the empty space. That experience helped inspire the search for another office dog, which eventually led to Niner.
He was the smallest French Bulldog his family could find and was small enough to fit in a palm when they first brought him home. He grew up coming to the office every day and became part of the workplace in a way that only a beloved dog can.
His name has its own story. His family are big San Francisco 49ers fans and considered naming him after players such as Bosa or Kittle. Instead, they chose Niner because the name would remain meaningful even if a particular player eventually left the team.
Niner is quiet and easygoing, although his family says he has a habit of giving everyone a judgmental side-eye. He also snores loudly enough that they call him their “little motorcycle.” When it comes to balls, however, Niner is anything but relaxed. He will chase them nonstop, so his family sometimes has to hide them when he gets too tired.
He also has a stubborn streak. When Niner decides that a walk is over, he simply sits down and refuses to move. His family knows that sometimes the only solution is to pick him up and carry him home.
Those details might sound like funny family stories, but they also demonstrate why planning for a pet involves more than simply saying, “Someone will take care of my dog.”
Why Estate Planning for Pets Matters
For many families, pets are part of the family. They have routines, favorite people, medical needs, habits, and personalities that cannot be replaced by a simple instruction in a will.
Consider what someone would need to know about Niner. They would need to know that he loves balls and can become so focused on chasing them that his family has to hide them. They would also need to understand his health needs. Niner recently recovered from IVDD and could not walk for almost eight weeks. His family says he now needs to be careful about jumping and follows a vitamin routine as part of his care.
That is why estate planning for pets is not simply about leaving money behind. It is about creating a plan that helps the person caring for your pet understand what your companion needs and what you would want for them.
For pet owners in Ventura, Ventura County, and throughout Southern California, this can be an important part of a broader estate plan.
What Happens to Your Pet If You Can No Longer Care for Them?
Most people think about estate planning in terms of what happens after death. A good estate plan can also help address situations during your lifetime when illness, injury, or incapacity prevents you from managing your affairs.
California Courts explains that estate planning documents can help people prepare for unexpected situations while they are still alive. The state’s court guidance discusses tools such as powers of attorney and advance health care directives as ways to prepare for circumstances in which someone becomes unable to handle certain decisions themselves.
The same forward-thinking approach makes sense when you have a pet who depends entirely on you. If you are suddenly hospitalized or otherwise unable to care for your dog or cat, someone else may need to step in quickly.
That person should not have to figure everything out from scratch.
A simple emergency plan can identify your veterinarian, provide feeding and medication information, list emergency contacts, and identify someone who has agreed to care for your pet temporarily. Your broader estate plan can then address what should happen if you become permanently unable to provide care or if you die.
California Law Allows Pet Trusts
California Probate Code Section 15212 states that a trust for the care of an animal can be a lawful noncharitable trust and provides specific rules for how these trusts operate. The statute applies to domestic and pet animals.
The law also addresses what happens if a designated trustee cannot or will not serve. If no appropriate trustee is available, the court can appoint one to help carry out the purpose of the trust. The statute also allows certain people or organizations to seek enforcement of the trust’s intended use.
That means California pet owners have a legal tool specifically designed to provide for an animal’s care.
A pet trust is different from simply telling a family member that you would like them to take your dog. A properly structured trust can establish financial resources and instructions for the care of the animal.
What Can a Pet Trust Provide?
A pet trust can be designed around your pet’s specific circumstances. The goal is to give the person caring for your animal the resources and instructions needed to provide appropriate care.
The ASPCA’s Pet Trust Primer explains that a pet trust can include detailed instructions about a pet’s standard of living and care. It can also identify caregivers and successor caregivers, provide funds for expenses, and address what should happen to the remaining trust property after the pet dies
For example, you might want the plan to address your pet’s regular veterinary care, food, medication, grooming, exercise, and other routine expenses. You can also consider what should happen if your pet develops a serious illness or needs expensive treatment.
Your instructions can also reflect your pet’s personality and habits. If your dog is anxious around strangers, your caregiver should know that. If your cat needs a particular feeding routine, that information can be included as well.
Think about Niner. His family knows that he loves sleeping on a lap and that he is obsessed with balls. They also know that his health history means he needs to be careful with jumping. Those details could be important to anyone who eventually becomes responsible for his care.
The more specific your instructions are, the easier it can be for someone else to continue providing the care your pet is accustomed to receiving.
Choosing Someone to Care for Your Pet
Money is only one part of pet planning. The person you choose to care for your pet may be even more important.
Start by thinking about someone who already knows and loves your animal. That person should also be willing and able to take on the responsibility. Caring for a pet can involve daily feeding, exercise, veterinary appointments, medication, grooming, transportation, and unexpected expenses.
Niner’s family already has someone in mind. They explained that Malissa, who works in the office, adores Niner and would take him in if necessary.
That kind of relationship can make a pet care plan much more meaningful. Your chosen caregiver already understands your pet and may have an easier time helping them adjust to a difficult change.
It is still important to ask that person before naming them in your plan. Someone may love your dog but not have the ability to provide full-time care. Another person may be willing to help but have housing restrictions that make taking in an animal impossible.
Have the conversation while you can.
How Much Money Should You Set Aside?
There is no single amount that every pet owner should put aside. The appropriate amount depends on your animal’s age, health, expected lifespan, lifestyle, and anticipated expenses.
Start by looking at what you currently spend on your pet. Consider food, routine veterinary appointments, medications, grooming, boarding, insurance, training, and other recurring costs. Then think about unexpected veterinary care and other emergencies.
A young, healthy cat may have very different needs from an older dog with ongoing medical care. A pet with a chronic condition may require substantially more financial support than an otherwise healthy animal.
Your plan should also explain what happens to any money that remains after your pet dies. California Probate Code Section 15212 provides rules for distributing unused trust property when an animal trust terminates, while also allowing the trust instrument to direct how remaining property should be distributed.
This is another reason to have the arrangement drafted carefully instead of assuming a simple instruction will accomplish everything you want.
Do Not Forget Your Pet’s Everyday Life
Estate planning documents often focus on money and legal authority. Pet planning should also capture the everyday details that make your animal feel safe.
Write down your pet’s feeding schedule and preferred food. Include information about medications, supplements, veterinary providers, and emergency contacts. If there are activities your pet loves or situations that make them uncomfortable, those details can help a new caregiver provide a smoother transition.
Niner’s family, for example, knows that he loves chasing balls but can become so focused on the activity that they need to stop him. They also know that his recent recovery from IVDD means he needs to be careful with jumping.
Those details may never appear in a traditional estate planning document. They can still be valuable as part of a separate pet care guide that works alongside the legal plan.
Think of it as leaving behind instructions from someone who knows your pet best.
What If You Have More Than One Pet?
Multiple pets can make planning more complicated. Some animals are closely bonded and may become distressed if they are separated. Others may have different personalities or medical needs that make separate arrangements more practical.
Your plan should address whether you want your pets to stay together. It should also explain how expenses should be handled if one pet dies before another.
You should also name backup caregivers. Your first choice may be willing to help today but may be unable to do so years from now. A second or third option can give your family another path forward.
Good pet planning anticipates changes rather than assuming everything will remain the same.
Estate Planning for Pets Should Fit Into Your Larger Estate Plan
A pet should not have to compete with the rest of your estate plan. Instead, pet planning can be coordinated with your broader plan for your family, property, finances, and incapacity.
If you already have a revocable living trust, for example, your attorney can discuss how pet care should fit into the overall structure. You can also review who has authority to manage financial matters and who should have access to information if you become unable to handle things yourself.
California Courts emphasizes that estate planning is not only about what happens after death. Planning documents can also help people prepare for situations that occur during their lifetime.
For California families, the best plan is the one that works as a complete picture. Your home, finances, loved ones, and pets all form part of the life you are trying to protect.
Niner’s Advice to California Pet Owners
If Niner could give California pet owners estate planning advice, his answer would probably be simple.
“Pets are kids.”
That is the answer his family gave when asked what Niner would tell other California pet owners. They also said that, just as people plan for their children, they should plan for their pets.
Niner does not understand trusts or estate planning. He does understand love, routine, attention, and the people he trusts.
His family wants to make sure he has those things if they are ever unable to provide them. They specifically said that they would want Niner to have love and attention, and they already know someone who would take him in if necessary.
That is the heart of estate planning for pets.
You are not planning because you expect something terrible to happen. You are planning because your pet cannot make these decisions for themselves.
How to Start Planning for Your Pet
Start with the person. Think about who you would trust to care for your pet if you could not. Have an honest conversation with that person and make sure they understand what taking on that responsibility would involve.
Then gather the practical information. Write down your pet’s veterinarian, medications, food, daily routine, insurance information, emergency contacts, and any special care instructions. Keep that information somewhere your family can find it when they need it.
Finally, talk with your estate planning attorney about the legal side of your plan. California specifically allows pet trusts, and your attorney can help you determine whether a pet trust or another planning strategy makes sense for your circumstances.
If you already have an estate plan, this is also a good opportunity to review it. Your pet’s needs may have changed since you created your documents, and the person you originally expected to provide care may no longer be the right choice.
Your Pet Cannot Make a Plan. You Can.
Niner spends his days greeting employees, making people laugh, chasing balls, sleeping on his owner’s lap, and occasionally deciding that a walk is simply no longer happening. He has become part of the culture at The Heritance Lawyers because he brings something to the office that no job description can capture.
But Niner’s story also reminds us that loving a pet means thinking about what they need when we are not there.
Estate planning for pets gives you an opportunity to make those decisions while you can. You can choose someone you trust, provide resources for their care, and leave clear instructions about the life you want your companion to have.
Your pet may never understand what a trust is. They will understand that someone is there to feed them, take them to the veterinarian, give them attention, and love them.
That is exactly what the plan is supposed to protect.
Frequently Asked Questions About Estate Planning for Pets
Can I create a pet trust in California?
Yes. California Probate Code Section 15212 specifically recognizes a trust created for the care of an animal as a lawful noncharitable purpose. The statute applies to domestic and pet animals and establishes rules for administering the trust.
What happens to my dog if I die without a pet trust in California?
Without specific planning, your family or another person may have to determine who will care for your dog. A pet trust and a clear caregiver plan can provide instructions and financial resources for your pet’s care.
How much money should I leave for my pet in California?
The appropriate amount depends on your pet’s age, health, expected expenses, and lifestyle. Consider routine costs as well as potential veterinary emergencies when discussing the amount with your estate planning attorney.
Can I include my dog or cat in my existing California estate plan?
Yes. Pet care can be coordinated with your broader estate plan. Depending on your circumstances, an attorney can discuss a pet trust and other planning tools that may help provide continuity of care.
What should I include in a California pet care plan?
A pet care plan can include your pet’s veterinarian, food, medications, daily routine, exercise needs, medical history, emergency contacts, and caregiver information. These practical instructions can work alongside the legal documents that provide for your pet’s care.
If your pet is part of your family, consider including their future in your estate planning conversation. The Heritance Lawyers can help you explore options for protecting your pet as part of a comprehensive California estate plan.
Author: Crista Hermance, Esq.
Founding Attorney, The Heritance Lawyers – Ventura, CA
Crista Hermance is the founder of The Heritance Lawyers, a California estate planning firm dedicated to helping families protect their legacies and loved ones. With offices serving Ventura County and surrounding Southern California communities, Crista focuses on family-friendly estate planning, trust administration, and probate guidance.
