Pet ownership can be one of the joys of life, and it can be especially beneficial to senior citizens. Many elderly individuals have lost family members along the way while others have become busy with their own lives. As a result, loneliness can become a problem. It is important for seniors to maintain good mental health, and loneliness can lead to depression which can be a significant mental health challenge.
It is a lot less likely that you will become depressed if you have a loving companion by your side who is constantly providing you with entertainment and putting a smile on your face. Dogs and cats are different and have different personalities, but whatever your preference, a pet can certainly enhance your life when you are a senior citizen.
If you are a pet owner and you have no one else in the home who would naturally become the pet’s owner after your death you have to make revisions beforehand. The most important thing is going to be to find someone to care for the animal.
A lot of people will have a relative or friend who is more than willing to take over. You can simply ask around and you’ll probably find someone who is ready, willing, and able to care for your pet if necessary.
Financial arrangements must be made after that, and one choice would be to leave a bequest to the caretaker in your will. Another possibility would be the creation of a pet trust that provides financial resources to be utilized for the care of the animal.
Pet planning is an important part of your comprehensive estate plan if you are a pet owner. To learn more about it, get in touch with a Hartford estate planning attorney to arrange for an informative meeting.
Mr. Nirenstein is licensed to practice before the courts of the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court. He is a member of the Connecticut and Hartford County Bar Associations, and the Estate and Probate, Elder Law, Business Law and Real Estate Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association.
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