Horses, wills, legal stuff...?

[Nudibranch]

Something which has been bothering me for a while. None of my family or close friends are horsey and I need to make a will as I've never got round to it. I wondered what provision other people have made for their horses if the worst should happen? For example I know OH would have the dog, etc, but much as he might love my horses he wouldn't know how to look after them really! I think I would ask YO to keep my oldie, he is very good like that but I also have a baby who would be wasted as a field ornament and YO is actually quite elderly. I just don't know what to specify, or what I can specify, for him and ensuring he has a safe future...? Can you leave money specifically to care for them for example? Any thoughts anyone?

 

[canteron]

I was advised The quickest and easiest way to deal with this is to leave a 'letter of wishes' where you state what you would like to happen. For example, you would like to leave you old horse to the YO with a sum for care, and your young horse to be sold but x to supervise and home all important. These are not, as I understand, legally binding, but at least everyone knows what you would want.

I think you can do it more formally, but possibly have to set up a trust or something, which is more complicated and expensive, but you should definitely have a will as without it your money may end up with the state and therefore your horses fate are much more uncertain.

 

[Clarissa_hook]

You are right a letter of wishes is not legally binding. I have thought about this, but I have a contract with the previous owner that if anything happened to me - then my parents would have first refusal and should for any reason they could not keep her she would go back to her previous owner.

As for a will- its a good idea to consider who would take them on and check with the people that they would be left to that they are happy with this. Then speak to a legal representative and get them to draw it up so it can all be verified and there will be no disputes.

As for trust- this can again be a sticky point as a trustee can deal with whatever is in their care as long as it is in the best interests of the beneficary- so be careful. Sorry if this all seems very confusing. PM me if you'd like more help xx

 

[Booboos]

I have a letter of wishes and rely on my OH/family to respect them. The horses should be offered to various friends of mine who are to keep them for life, if not they are left to WHW (3 are all ridable, useful horses and 1 is a very useful mini companion, so they should be able to find good homes for them, but retain control of their futures).

 

[cbmcts]

Both of mine will be PTS as they are retired and re-homing would be problematic IMO.

Any house pets that I have at the time, well the decision would be made by 2 friends of mine one of whom is very involved in rescue. If I died today ancient terrier would be PTS, other terrier would return to the rescue (unless family/friend arranged with the rescue to keep him) and Rott would go to a friend as OH isn't doggy nor does his job fit in with having pets. All these people know my wishes mainly because a very good friend of ours died suddenly a few years and re-homing her animals was an absolute nightmare especially when her family got involved...

 

[Goldenstar]

I have done a letter of wishes as well.My OH knows which of my friends to rely on if something happened to me . We have left money in our will to be used so if we both got killed there is provision so everyone would have time to sort every thing out.

 

[DougalJ]

What a good post as probably not a topic that we want to talk about but should. My family are all non-horsey so god forbid if anything happened to me who would have my lovely old chap! I imagine my OH would say to the girls at the yard, toss a coin and you can have him!