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 Nebraska, pet owners can create a trust to ensure the care and well-being of their pets after the owner's death or incapacitation. Nebraska's pet trust law is codified in Nebraska Revised Statute 30-3837, which allows for the creation of a trust for the care of an animal alive during the settlor's lifetime. The trust can be enforced by an individual designated in the trust document or, if no individual is designated, by an individual appointed by a court. The trust remains in effect for the lifetime of the animal or, if more than one animal is covered, for the lifetime of the last surviving animal. The trust must be funded with sufficient assets to provide for the care of the pet, and the trustee is responsible for using the trust assets solely for the benefit of the pet according to the terms of the trust. Any remaining funds in the trust upon the death of the pet are typically distributed as directed by the trust document or by the court if the document does not specify.