Caring for your pets legally extends beyond simply providing them with treats. Catherine Falls Commercial/Moment via Getty Images

by Allison Anna Tait, University of Richmond

Diane Keaton was well-known for her affection towards her dog,Reggie.

The acclaimed actress, director, and real estate mogul frequently shared images and videos of her golden retriever on social media. Following her passing on October 11, 2025, at the age of 79, various news outlets reported that she bequeathed approximately $5 million from her estimated $100 million estate to her beloved pet.

As a professor of law specializing in wills and trusts as well as various inheritance laws, I often inform my students about how they can assist clients in making provisions for their pets after they pass away. Given that many Americans cherish their pets and wish to ensure their care continues posthumously, this topic consistently captures their interest.

Ensuring Pet Care Through Wills

An estimated66% of households in the U.S. have at least one pet. Many Americans consider their cats, dogs, turtles or other animals as integral family members; consequently, spending on these non-human companions is significant. In 2024 alone, expenditures reached around$152 billion for products and services related to pet care.

Caring for your pets legally involves more than just providing them with toys or clothing; it also includes leaving clear instructions to ensure their needs are met after you’re gone. There are several methods available to achieve this.

Utilizing a Will for Pet Provisions

The first method is through your will. While you cannot directly leave money to your pet due to legal classifications that treat animals as property—similar to books or furniture—you can designate a bequest (the formal term for a gift made through a will) intended for someone who will take care of the animal. This bequest can include specific instructions regarding how funds should be used for the pet’s welfare.

It’s advisable also to name an alternate caretaker in case the primary individual is unable or unwilling to assume duty due either death or other circumstances before you pass away along with any animals you’ve provided for in your will.

Choupette: A Life of Luxury

Karl Lagerfeld—a renowned German designer who passed away in 2019 at age 85—made headlines when he mistakenly left money directly intended for his fluffy Birman cat named Choupette; tho it turned out favorably for Choupette nonetheless!

This pampered feline reportedly remained alive into 2025 while enjoying meals served from exquisite porcelain bowls purchased by Lagerfeld himself! She receives lavish care from Françoise Caçote—the designer’s former housekeeper—and even celebrated her thirteenth birthday at Versailles!

A notable example among responsible pet owners includes comedian Joan Rivers who had two rescue dogs residing with her Manhattan home alongside two others located within california when she passed away back in 2014 aged eighty-one years old! Rivers ensured proper arrangements were made within her last testament regarding these beloved companions’ future wellbeing!

Establishing pet Trusts

If you’re seeking an option that’s more secure than merely drafting up wills then consider establishing what’s known as “pet trust,” which has become increasingly popular among celebrities over recent decades! These types weren’t even conceivable until around early nineties since prior laws did not recognize animals could serve beneficiaries meaning they lacked ability sue trustees assigned managing funds allocated towards them!

However begining during nineties states began amending regulations allowing creation such trusts today recognized across entire nation although specifics may vary depending upon jurisdictional guidelines involved here too!

Create such trust requires drafting legal document identifying both trustee responsible overseeing finances left behind plus caretaker designated looking after animal(s). The appointed trustee manages distributions made toward caretakers chosen by grantor themselves while specifying exactly how those resources ought utilized fulfilling respective needs associated respective creatures involved therein too! Additionally stipulations exist determining what happens remaining assets once said creature passes away typically taking effect upon owner’s demise similar manner outlined within standard last wills executed previously mentioned earlier above too!

You might find creating simple online templates available free charge if no professional assistance sought otherwise expect costs range around $100 utilizing services like “LegalZoom” offering guidance throughout process itself though keep mind complexity surrounding estates influences overall pricing structure accordingly here again too!!

WHEN THE WEALTHY GO OVERBOARD

A prime example showcasing extreme cases involving extravagant amounts allocated towards beloved pets comes courtesy Leona Helmsley—a New York hotelier infamous notorious reputation stemming largely pettiness coupled harsh management style ultimately leading imprisonment tax evasion charges filed against herself later down line eventually resulting tragic end life occurred back year twenty-oh-seven !

Upon passing Helmsley left behind Maltese pup named trouble whopping twelve million dollar trust fund established specifically benefit furry friend despite majority estate directed toward charitable foundation created under same name however personal gifts distributed amongst select family members included sum far exceeding anything else given out thus causing grandchildren feel slighted prompting legal action taken court challenging validity arrangement ultimately resulting judge ruling reducing total amount down mere two million dollars instead leaving remainder ten million revert back original charity foundation where most wealth originally belonged anyway !

Moral learned here: Your canine may receive sizable financial backing but don’t go overboard doing so either way!! Bequests meant supporting loved ones could face challenges especially courts determine reasonable amounts necesary fulfill basic requirements needed maintain quality lifestyle enjoyed beforehand without excessive extravagance attached whatsoever hence why Helmsley’s case deemed excessive considering reality situation surrounding Trouble living comfortably without millions dollars spent annually maintaining lavish lifestyle enjoyed throughout lifetime together until sadly passing December twenty-ten following several years spent residing luxurious accommodations Sarasota Florida owned by none other than herself personally !!< / p >

CELEBRITY PET LOVERS WHO CARED FOR THEIR ANIMALS WELL BEYOND MEANS AVAILABLE TO THEM AS WELL!!!< / h3 >

A final lesson worth noting comes courtesy British fashion icon Alexander McQueen whose net worth stood approximately £16 million ($21 Million) prior untimely death occurring year twenty-ten aged forty years old leaving behind generous £50 thousand ($66 thousand) set aside specifically ensuring continued comfort companionship provided bull terriers remaining alive thereafter long past point initial departure occurred unexpectedly suddenly without warning whatsoever!!!< / p >

Additionally included was another generous donation totaling £100 thousand ($132 thousand) directed towards Battersea Dogs Cats Home aimed assisting countless other needy creatures requiring basic necessities food shelter etc., highlighting importance supporting local shelters worldwide including UK USA everywhere else globally where similar organizations strive rescue protect vulnerable populations needing help desperately right now today still ongoing efforts continue tirelessly every single day regardless circumstances faced daily basis each moment counts truly matters greatly indeed!!!< / p >

I encourage everyone reading this article take proactive steps establish some form protection plan covering beloved felines/furry friends alike while concurrently remembering allocate additional resources support larger community helping thousands companion animals desperately searching forever homes each year because unluckily none them receive trust funds whatsoever!! What fate awaits Reggie remains uncertain yet undoubtedly Diane Keaton isn’t first celebrity leave significant sums behind devoted companions nor likely won’t be last either…< / p >

ALLISON ANNA TAIT , PROFESSOR OF LAWS , UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND .

This article has been republished under Creative Commons license courtesy The Conversation . Read original piece here . [ https : // SECRETLABPOWER.COM/PETS/ ].