One of the most important things you can do when you create your Florida estate plan is to try to think of everything. While this may seem like an impossible task, going through with it will reveal many things you may not have considered initially. Cataloging assets and individual pieces of property such as family heirlooms and knick-knacks can be helpful. Listing relatives, friends and organizations you want to receive portions of your estate is a good next step. But what about your pets?

When thinking of the big picture estate plan, pets may get lost in the shuffle. Animal lovers who care deeply about their pets during life may want to provide for them after their death. Absent particular instructions, a deceased person's animals may be taken on by family members, adopted or even brought to a shelter, results that the owner may not have intended.

The solution lies in what is called a pet trust, which names a guardian who will take care of the pet after the owner's death. The trust also may specify the way in which the animal is cared for, including living and feeding arrangements. Lastly, the trust must contain funds to provide for the animal. Pet trusts can work for all kinds of animals, but they may be especially helpful for exotic animals with long lives, such as turtles.

Some may consider pet trusts odd. Or they may think that creating one devotes too much time and resources to so simple a problem. But like all aspects of estate planning, the pet trust is about carrying out your wishes, assuring an orderly administration of your estate, and minimizing the strains on your loved ones. Since friends and relatives may not agree over what to do about your pets, it is much easier to settle the matter beforehand and ensure that your animals receive the kind of care you want for them.

Source: The New York Times, "The Pet Problem," Alyson Martin and Nushin Rashidian, Feb. 3, 2012.