Follow Up On The Connecticut Pet Trust Statute
A further update to Connecticut's attempt to enact a Pet Trust Statute. The Bill that was voted favorably out of the Judiciary Committee, Committee Bill No. 650 and the Bill that is now to be presented to the Senate for action, File No. 707.
In large measure, the two Bills are similar. There is one significant difference from the perspective of a client that wants to establish such a trust -- any trust must be approved by the Probate Court. Apparently the Legislature sees this as an opportunity to generate revenue for the Probate Court because the Probate Courts will charge a fee of between $50-$750 to review the trust. This change creates all kinds of logistical problems for the implementation of these type of trusts, albeit ones that can be overcome, but certainly ones that are better avoided. I am actively involved with seeing this proposed Legislation through this Session and presently involved with trying to see if there can be any movement at the very least on the language that includes the necessity for Probate Court review. Help!! The Bill is not yet on the Senate Agenda, so there is still time.
I think the opportunity is now for Connecticut to adopt this Legislation and if it means we must accept the language, then so be it but the push is on. Over the past two years, I've had to disappoint four clients because Connecticut did not have a Pet Trust Statute. The time is now, let's get it done.
I cannot believe the CT legislature is trying to gouge pet owners, especially the elderly, with their proposed probate fee. Vet bills are already outrageous & this will only pressure people to forgo giving pets a home. If the fee were ten or 15 dollars that would be one thing. But fifty dollars or more is trying to fleece ordinary people who want to help our fellow creatures.