Planning for Your Pets: Understanding Pet Trusts in Idaho and Georgia
For many of us, our pets are more than just animals—they’re family. Whether it’s a loyal dog, a barn cat, or even a beloved horse, ensuring their care after you’re gone is an important part of a complete estate plan. One of the best ways to provide for your animals is through a Pet Trust.
At Atkins Law Offices, we help clients in Idaho and Georgia create pet trusts that guarantee their pets are cared for according to their wishes, no matter what the future holds.
What Is a Pet Trust?
A Pet Trust is a legal arrangement that sets aside funds and instructions for the care of your pets if you become incapacitated or pass away.
It works like other types of trusts—you name a trustee to manage the funds and a caregiver to look after your animals. The trustee ensures that the caregiver follows your written instructions for your pet’s care, feeding, veterinary needs, and lifestyle.
Pet trusts are recognized in all 50 states, including Idaho and Georgia, and can be customized to fit your specific needs and the needs of your pets.
Why You Might Need a Pet Trust
Without a pet trust, your animals are treated as personal property in your estate. This means there’s no legal guarantee that the person you intend to care for your pet will do so—or that they’ll have the financial resources to do it properly.
A pet trust allows you to:
Designate a caregiver you trust to look after your pets
Appoint a trustee to manage funds responsibly
Specify detailed instructions for care, feeding, exercise, and medical treatment
Ensure funds are used only for your pet’s benefit
Provide for multiple animals or even future pets
In both Idaho and Georgia, courts will enforce a valid pet trust, ensuring your intentions are carried out as written.
Pet Trusts in Idaho
Under Idaho law (Idaho Code §15-7-601), a trust for the care of an animal is valid and enforceable. The trust continues until the animal’s death—or, if it covers multiple animals, until the death of the last surviving animal.
This makes pet trusts an excellent choice for Idaho residents who want long-term peace of mind.
Whether you live in Boise, Coeur d’Alene, or Twin Falls, our Idaho estate planning attorneys can help you establish a legally sound trust to ensure your pets never end up without care or resources.
Pet Trusts in Georgia
Georgia law (O.C.G.A. §53-12-28) also recognizes pet trusts, allowing you to provide for your pets during your lifetime or after your death. The trust can include detailed instructions for feeding, veterinary care, and living arrangements, as well as specific funding to cover those needs.
Our Georgia clients—especially those in the Atlanta metro area and North Georgia—often use pet trusts as part of a comprehensive estate plan that includes wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives.
What to Include in Your Pet Trust
A well-drafted pet trust should clearly outline your expectations and provide enough detail to avoid confusion. At a minimum, it should include:
Names and descriptions of your pets
The caregiver’s name and contact information
Instructions for care, including diet, exercise, and veterinary preferences
A trustee to manage and distribute funds
Amount of money to be held in the trust for care and expenses
Instructions for what should happen to any remaining funds after the pet’s death
Why Work With an Attorney
While it’s possible to write simple instructions for your pet’s care, a legally valid pet trust ensures those instructions can actually be enforced. Without proper legal structure, your wishes may be ignored—or the funds may not be used as intended.
At Atkins Law Offices, we help clients in Idaho and Georgia craft strong, enforceable pet trusts that comply with state law and reflect your exact wishes. We’ll guide you through choosing trustees, caregivers, and funding levels that make sense for your situation.
Schedule a Consultation
Your pets depend on you—and with a pet trust, you can continue to protect them even when you no longer can.
If you’re ready to set up a Pet Trust in Idaho or Georgia, contact Atkins Law Offices today.
Call us at 208-472-8829 or 470-990-3667 or use the button below to schedule a consultation with an experienced pet trust attorney who can help you plan for your pets’ future with confidence.
