Because the law considers pets personal property and not human beings, pets cannot own property, and a pet owner cannot leave money or assets to a pet in a will or a trust. But a pet owner can provide for the care and well-being of a pet or pets in a traditional trust or in a statutory pet trust (authorized under a state’s statutes).

For example, the pet owner (known as the grantor, settlor, or trustor) will create a trust for a named pet or pets (the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust), place money or income-producing assets in the trust and name a trustee to manage and administer the trust for the benefit of the pet or pets, as provided in the trust agreement.

For a brief summary of each state’s pet trust laws and the state statutes where you can find them, copy and paste this URL in your internet browser: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-planning/pet-trust-laws

In Arizona, pet owners can create a trust specifically for the care of their pets after the owner's death or incapacitation. Arizona law recognizes pet trusts, allowing owners to set aside funds and provide instructions for the care and maintenance of their pets. The trust can designate a trustee who will be responsible for managing the trust assets and ensuring that the pet's needs are met according to the terms set out in the trust document. The relevant statute in Arizona that provides for the creation of pet trusts is Arizona Revised Statutes Section 14-10408. This statute outlines the legal framework for the establishment of a trust for the care of a designated domestic or pet animal and the animal's offspring in some cases. The trust remains in effect for the lifetime of the animal or until the trust funds are exhausted.