Legality Of Wills In Favor Of Animals
Are wills in favor of animals legal? More and more people have this concern and want to protect their pets in case something happens to them.
In this sense, Spanish law is very clear. Although it is not possible to leave an inheritance to an animal, it is possible to include it in the will and ensure that a certain person takes care of it after the death of the owner.
Today pets are considered an important part of the family, hence the importance that they receive good treatment after the physical disappearance of the owner.
Wills in favor of animals: key points
Many people wonder if it is possible to make wills in favor of animals and the answer can vary considerably according to the laws in force in each country. In the case of Spain, animals are considered in principle as a property, so it is not possible to leave the inheritance to any animal.
On the other hand, it is possible for the owner to ensure, through a will, that his pet is in the care of a certain person. The document may even specify that the person cannot get rid of said animal, that is, the heir must take care of the pet until the moment of his death.
This condition of continuity of the owner in the care of his pet can be specified in the will, as well as other aspects that must be taken into consideration regarding the care of the animal.
Animal protection
As we have seen, it is possible to protect pets through conditions or specifications in a will. If a will is not made, the fate of the animal will be decided by the rest of the heirs.
On some occasions the pet can be turned over to an animal shelter or have a worse ending. Therefore, we must stress the importance of defining their care very well.
While a pet cannot inherit money, a foundation can. In this sense, a very effective way to protect an animal after the death of its owner is by previously establishing a foundation, whose main objective is the protection and care of the pet.
Fate of the pet until the reading of the will
Another very important aspect that owners must take into consideration is the issue of what will happen to the animal until the moment the will is formally read.
In this case, the most recommended solution is for the pet to stay with a trusted friend or relative who treats it with the same affection that its owners would. Of course, for this it is essential to talk with the people involved beforehand.
It is necessary for the owner to speak with one or more people to ensure that they will be willing to take care of the animal until the reading of the will.
It is also advisable to speak with the heir who is planning to leave the pet to agree with that decision. Ideally, this person should feel a deep love for animals and, in addition, have the disposition, space and resources to take care of them.
Conclusions on wills
In short, Spanish law does not allow a pet to inherit money or property from its owner. However, it is possible to include the animal in the will so that it can enjoy the care and protection it enjoyed while its owner lived.
As we have been seeing, it is necessary to make it very clear with the people involved to ensure that they are willing to care for the animal accordingly; in this way, and only in this way, the will would become effective.
It is highly recommended to do this type of document, since it is the most certain way to ensure that the animal will be in good hands. Wills in favor of animals are an increasingly common process, especially since they are considered an integral part of the family and the fate they may have is concerned.
Animals as heirs are becoming more and more prevalent throughout the world. Would you like to make a will to protect the future of your pets? You just have to take into account the parameters that we have seen.
