BEST IN SHOW: WHAT DO THE WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW AND FLORIDA PROBATE LAW HAVE IN COMMON ?

The Westminster Kennel Club, http://www.westminsterkennelclub.org/ just put on the 2014 Westminister Dog Show .  Sky won.        So how is this Westminster Dog show related to   Florida trust law  or Florida probate law ?

Q: Do you want to leave a trust for your pet when you die ?

FLORIDA TRUST CODE CREATES PET TRUSTS: FLORIDA TRUST FOR ANIMALS

• The Florida trust code has a    special provision    for   pet   trusts.
• That’s right,    family trusts are no longer just for    heirs, children, loved ones, misfits and mistresses.
• You can create a Florida trust for Fido, your cat, your iguana, dog, or Florida flamingo.    I guess you could create one for your Florida alligator.

FLORIDA ANIMAL TRUSTS

So-called    Florida pet trusts    are referred to as a “trust for care of an animal” under the Florida trust code.       You can read Florida trust statute section 736.0408 online.

• You, called a trust “grantor” or trust “settlor”,    can create a Florida trust by transferring property,   such as money,    to a trustee.
• You can be the trustee of your   Florida   pet  trust during your life.
• You can also create a Florida pet trust under your    Florida revocable trust sometimes called a Florida revocable living trust.
• The Florida pet trust terminates on the death of the animal.
• You can create a Florida pet trust for multiple animals

The biggest question:

Q:  who inherits the Florida pet trust after the death of your animal?

Suggestion: don’t make the remainder trust beneficiary someone who hates animals.