Including Your Dog in Your Will

Making a will is an important step in every adult’s life. Often, one does not think of estate planning until the loss of a loved one or the birth of child. These life-changing moments really cause one to think: “What if? What would become of my loved ones if I passed away?” As a dog owner, has this thought ever crossed your mind? Many of us think of our dogs as children – we nurture and raise them the best way possible. Because of the average life span of a dog, many people expect to outlive their dogs. Though this is often the case, one never really knows what the future holds. Regardless of your age, planning your last will and testament is an important step to help protect your loved ones – human or otherwise. You could also consider it part of responsible dog ownership.

I think many people put off creating a will because the hassle of paperwork and the hectic pace of life gets in the way. I did that for years, never really taking the next step, even thought I did think about what would become of my pets if something happened to me. Finally I decided to take the next step, and I realized that it was easier than I imagined. In our age of technology, we can create legal documents online in the privacy of our own homes. Websites like ItsMyLife.com and LegalZoom.com offer do-it-yourself wills that can even include your pets. Plus, it is more convenient and less expensive than a visit to a lawyer’s office.

I chose www.ItsMyLife.com to create my will. The company is the most pet-friendly and the cost is very low! Pet owners Jon and Liz Sayers created www.ItsMyLife.com with other pet “parents” in mind. Going beyond the basic last will and testament, the company allows you to protect each pet individually with their own Letter of Wishes. You can also create a Pets Trust and appoint a trustee to provide for your pets’ financial needs. You can even write private letters to your pets’ designated guardians.

I found www.ItsMyLife.com to be very fast and easy – I completed my documents in about an hour. The good news is that you have a year to make changes after paying the fee, which is $19.95 for individuals and $29.90 for couples. When you decide to print your documents, you can choose your font and background themes, adding a personal touch. Then, all you need to do is have the paperwork signed and witnessed.

Like me, I am sure you often worry about how you would cope with the loss of your dog, but how would your dog cope with the loss of YOU? Please consider making your own will to include your pets, whether you use www.ItsMyLife.com, another website or even your lawyer. It’s the best gift you can give your dog if something happens to you.