Originally published: September 21, 2016 | Last updated: October 20, 2025
TL;DR: You cannot leave money directly to a pet in your Will — all 50 states prohibit this. Instead, you appoint a caregiver and leave them a bequest to cover your pet’s care. At USLegalWills.com, you name your pet as a specific bequest to a caregiver, then leave a separate sum of money for care expenses. Other options include pet trusts (available in certain states) for long-lived animals, conditional bequests (in states like New York), and designating an animal shelter as caregiver. Always ask your chosen caregiver before naming them.
Can You Really Leave Money to Your Pets in a Will?
We all know about millionaire eccentric people who decide to pass their entire wealth to their animal companions. The Maltese dog named “Trouble” received a $12 million inheritance from billionaire Leona Helmsley before a judge reduced the amount to $2 million. Two grandchildren received nothing. Trouble reportedly spent about $190,000 per year, mostly on a permanent security detail after receiving death and kidnapping threats.
Dogs stand as the only pets which people include in their Wills. Blackie became the richest cat in the world after British owner Ben Rea left her a $12.5 million inheritance in 1988. Blackie was the sole survivor of 16 cats who had shared Rea’s mansion.
The news coverage of these events shows readers that people can create pet care arrangements in their Will although they cannot directly pass huge amounts of money to their animals.
How Do You Appoint a Caregiver for Your Pet?
You must select a person who will care for your animal with the same devotion which you provide. Key guidelines:
- Always ask first – make sure they are willing to take on the responsibility
- Name an alternate caregiver in case your first choice is unwilling or unable
- You can leave the decision to your Executor, providing a list of possible caregivers for them to choose from
Can You Leave Money for Pet Care in Your Will?
Not directly. All 50 states are clear: you cannot leave any part of your estate directly to a pet . Your dog cannot have a bank account or own property. The workaround is to leave money or property to the person you designate as caregiver, with the request that they use it for the animal’s care.
Important caveat: This provision is not watertight. You can only request that the caregiver uses the money for the animal – there is no legal consequence if they spend it elsewhere. This is why your choice of caregiver is critical. You must trust them completely.
How Does USLegalWills.com Handle Pet Bequests?
When you use the Will service at USLegalWills.com, the process involves two specific bequests:
- Name your pet as a specific item to be left to a beneficiary (the caregiver), plus an alternate beneficiary
- Leave a second bequest of a sum of money designated for the care of the pet
What If You Cannot Find a Caregiver?
If no one in your life can take responsibility, consider appointing a charitable organization such as an animal shelter or humane society. Before naming them in your Will:
- You should visit multiple shelters until you discover the one which feels right for you. You should learn about their family selection process for adoption.
- The shelter will accept your pet when you donate money to them while you bring your animal home. Organizations perform their work through different methods which require you to investigate their operations.
- The conditional bequest system operates within states which include New York as an example. The bequest will only become active when the caregiver starts working with your pet. The executor maintains control of the entire process. The court can remove this decision when someone challenges it. Your Executor will need to spend excessive time monitoring pet welfare because this system requires them to oversee animals for more than 15 years. Not recommended in most cases.
- The pet trust functions as a trust which serves to protect your animal companion. The fund calculation system uses your pet’s age at your death to calculate the amount of money. The service operates within specific states which have authorized its use. The system works best for animals which live for many years such as horses and parrots. The system needs to follow all rules which different states have established. A person who has received proper training should create this document.
What Are Conditional Bequests and Pet Trusts?
| Option | How It Works | Limitations |
|---|---|---|
| Conditional bequest | Available in some states (e.g., New York). Bequest is conditional on the caregiver actually caring for your pet. Executor monitors compliance. | Can be overturned if challenged. Puts a tremendous burden on your Executor who may need to monitor pet welfare for 15+ years. Not recommended in most cases. |
| Pet trust | Establishes a trust for your pet’s benefit. Can calculate funds based on the pet’s age at your death. Available in certain states. | Best suited for long-lived animals like horses and parrots. Must comply with state-specific rules. Should be drafted by a qualified person. |
Can You Request Pet Euthanasia in Your Will?
The answer depends on which state you live in. Most states have not addressed this issue. New York introduced a provision in 2014 permitting cremated human remains to be buried alongside pet remains in a licensed pet cemetery. Sleepy Hollow cemetery became famous because Leona Helmsley wanted Trouble to rest beside her but the cemetery refused her request because they banned all animal remains.
Can Your Pet Be Buried With You?
It depends on your state. Most states have not addressed this issue. New York introduced a provision in 2014 permitting cremated human remains to be buried alongside pet remains in a licensed pet cemetery. Famously, Leona Helmsley wanted Trouble buried alongside her at Sleepy Hollow cemetery, but the cemetery refused, citing regulations against non-human remains.
The legal landscape varies widely, so check your state’s specific rules and your chosen cemetery’s policies. For more on writing your Will, see our complete guide to how to write a Will. Consider also adding a Power of Attorney and Living Will.
He has over 20 years of experience helping people to write their Will and other estate planning documents. He has been interviewed by many of the major news media outlets, and has contributed to articles in The New York Times, NY Metro Parents, U.S. News & World Report, and other leading publications. He has also contributed to a number of financial planning books.
Throughout his career, Tim has written extensively on the subject of Will writing and estate planning.
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