Re: Has anyone written herps into their wills?

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Posted by PH Meliss on April 04, 2003 at 17:27:05:

In Reply to: Has anyone written herps into their wills? posted by girlzilla on April 04, 2003 at 08:18:37:

As Desiree said, you can pick up simple will forms at office supply stores. You can probably find some basic legal document programs for sale on CD at places like eBay/Half.com and computer shows where there's lots of software on sale.

Even without a will, you could write up a formal document stipulating who you want to care for your animals in the event you are incapacitated or die. You may want to discuss this first with family and friends, and see if, depending on the number of animals you have, you should name two or more people, each of whom would take responsibility for specific animals. Once you have the individuals and animals identified, you write your document.

If you travel, or want to make sure all your bases are covered, you can pick up some "limited power of attorney" forms from office supply stores (or find them on legal forms CDs). If you are not married, and are not a minor residing with your parents, there is no one who is legally empowered to get your animals treated by a vet should they require it during a time you are unavailable. It may be when you are out of town on vacation, or on a business trip, or if you are stricken by illness or injury and are unable to care for your animals. With a limited power of attorney, you can name an individual you trust to be responsible for not only taking your animals to the vet, but to contract with your vet for veterinary services. You might want to go so far as to stipulate that the person you name will pay for the services they deem necessary for your pets, with the amount being reimbursed by you (or by your estate, if you die during the time the LPOA is in effect).

Being able to show your vet the LPOA lets the vet know that the person is acting on your behalf.

I have an arrangement with two friends. We each are authorized to not only enter each other's homes in the event of incapacitating accident or death (we have keys), but are also authorized to each take specific animals (well, in this case, species, since I can't take anything with fur), and are authorized to take them and keep or place them as we see fit.

This all may seem like overkill, or silly because we're "just" talking about pets. But some types of pets, such as large parrots and reptiles, require care and diets far beyond what most pet people are willing or able to provide, let alone non-herper/birder friends and family members. Your formal document might be no more complicated than something like this:

"Sarah will take the snakes, caring for them until she can find good homes for them. Billy will take the lizards, except Beetlejuice, my green iguana, caring for them until he can find good homes for them. James will take Beetlejuice. All of the animals' enclosures, and the equipment in place for each of the animals, will go along with each of the animals."

Enough of my babbling! You'll find some more recommendations at the HSUS site, in their Providing for Your Pet's Future Without You page.

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PH Meliss
Pet Hobbyist Volunteer * Iguana Forum
Iguanas for Dummies
Anapsid.org: Herp Care, Societies/Rescues, Vets, Resources

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