Secure Your Pet’s Future: Estate Planning 101 for Your Companions
Versatility in Poodles (VIP) is a great resource for information. At our most recent membership meeting, we had an attorney speak regarding estate planning but it really covered many potential situations where you could not make decisions for your dogs. Members can view the recorded presentation and Q&A.
We covered the following topics:
- Basic Planning
- Wills
- Durable Power of Attorney
- Communication to/for caregivers
- Trusts
- Kennel Club Registration and Transfer of Ownership
I volunteered to follow up with AKC and UKC on the documents and processes needed should you ever become incapacitated or worse.
VIP is also a wonderful source for health and breed information, training and other resources including what to look for in a breeder.
I am happy to share that AKC provided a thorough response to help with planning:
Incapacitation Authorization Notice
The Incapacitation Authorization Notice is used to grant authorization to an individual to sign on behalf of an incapacitated person. This form asks for information about the incapacitated person, information and signature of the person authorized to sign, and notarization. When authorized to sign for another person on AKC forms, you must print that person’s name where it asks for his or her signature, then in parentheses indicate why you are signing for the person. You will then sign your name and indicate in parentheses your relationship to the person. For example: John Smith (incapacitated), signature of authorized signatory (wife).
Please click here for a link to this form: Incapacitation Authorization Notice. The form is in .pdf format and requires the use of Adobe’s Acrobat Reader to view the application. Adobe’s Acrobat Reader can be obtained free of charge from www.adobe.com. You must use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or newer to view the files.
Power of Attorney Authorization Notice
The Power of Attorney Authorization Notice is used to grant authorization to an individual to sign on someone else’s behalf. This form asks for information and signature of the person granting authority, information and signature of the person authorized to sign, and notarization. The authorization is granted for one year only. A new form must be submitted to extend the authorization. When authorized to sign for another person on AKC forms, you must print that person’s name where it asks for his or her signature, then in parentheses indicate why you are signing for the person. You will then sign your name and indicate in parentheses your relationship to the person. For example: John Smith (POA), signature of authorized signatory (daughter).
Please click here for a link to this form: Power of Attorney. The form is in .pdf format and requires the use of Adobe’s Acrobat Reader to view the application. Adobe’s Acrobat Reader can be obtained free of charge from www.adobe.com. You must use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or newer to view the files.
Stud Dog Power of Attorney
The Stud Dog Power of Attorney form is used to authorize the AKC to accept the signature of someone other than the actual owner of the stud dog on applications to register litters sired by that dog. This form asks for information about the stud dog, information and signature of the person authorized to sign, information and signature of the person granting authority, dates of authorization, and notarization. The authorization is limited to one year only. A new form must be submitted to extend the authorization. When authorized to sign for another person on AKC forms, you must print that person’s name where it asks for his or her signature, then in parentheses indicate why you are signing for the person. You will then sign your name and indicate in parentheses your relationship to the person. For example: John Smith (SDPOA), signature of authorized signatory (wife).
Please click here for a link to this form: Stud Dog Power of Attorney. The form is in .pdf format and requires the use of Adobe’s Acrobat Reader to view the application. Adobe’s Acrobat Reader can be obtained free of charge from www.adobe.com. You must use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or newer to view the files.
Statement of Legal Rights
The Statement of Legal Rights form is used to sign on behalf of a deceased person. If an Executor or Administrator has been or will be appointed for the decedent, the Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration should accompany this completed form. If no Executor or Administrator has been or will be appointed, the next of kin, authorized to sign for the decedent, must complete this form, stating the relationship to the decedent. This form must be notarized and submitted with a copy of the Death Certificate for the deceased. Once the Statement of Legal Rights is on file with the AKC, any forms and information pertaining to the deceased and their dogs may be signed for by the person stated on the Statement of Legal Rights. Note: The dog(s) that the deceased owns are not automatically transferred to the Executor. Separate paperwork must be filed and the Executor may sign any forms necessary.
When authorized to sign for another person on AKC forms, you must print that person’s name where it asks for his or her signature, then in parentheses indicate why you are signing for the person. You will then sign your name and indicate in parentheses your relationship to the person. For example: John Smith (deceased), signature of authorized signatory (Executor).
Please click here for a link to this form: Statement of Legal Rights. The form is in .pdf format and requires the use of Adobe’s Acrobat Reader to view the application. Adobe’s Acrobat Reader can be obtained free of charge from www.adobe.com. You must use Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or newer to view the files.
We are unable to accept these forms via email. Kindly mail your documents to us using the address provided on the back of the form.
For additional assistance, please reply to this email or call us at 919-233-9767. Our customer service representatives are available from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday. We are happy to help!
Plan and plan and plan, then plan for any possibility that may be around the corner.
I hope to follow up with UKC’s response in the near future to help everyone complete their estate plans. ~ Michele
