Estate Planning For Pets

Whether referred to as companion animals, service animals or simply as pets, they play an important part in the lives of many Montanans. Owners can use estate planning tools to ensure their pets continue to receive proper care if the owner becomes incapacitated or dies.

In Montana, a pet is “any domesticated animal normally maintained in or near the household of its owner.” A pet is tangible personal property, like guns, cars, or jewelry. When a pet owner dies, pets pass to beneficiaries by provisions in an owner’s will, by directives in an owner’s trust document, or by a priority...