Families Avoid "Ruff" Times for Their Pets With Trusts

Leona Helmsley Isn't the Only Person Leaving Big Bucks to the Dogs


LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - June 25, 2008) - Three out of four pet owners consider their pet part of the family.(1) In fact, as families plan for the future and create their last wills and trusts, they are making sure their four-legged friends are kept out of the pound by creating a pet trust. LegalZoom.com, the leading online legal document and filing service, reports that last wills with pet trusts comprise a quarter of all its last will volume.

While Leona Helmsley's decision to leave her pooch $12 million might seem outlandish, you might be surprised to find out 30% of LegalZoom's pet trusts left behind $10,000 or more -- a few trusts are even in excess of $1 million!

"Pets are part of the family, and people want the peace of mind knowing that their family is protected if they are not around," explains Brian Liu, co-founder and chairman of LegalZoom. "At LegalZoom.com, we make it easy for you to create a last will and trust that protects the people -- and pets -- that you love."

About LegalZoom.com

LegalZoom.com is the nation's leading online legal document and filing service. Co-founded by attorney Robert Shapiro in 2001, LegalZoom.com (www.legalzoom.com) offers a convenient and cost-effective way to take care of common legal needs. LegalZoom service offerings include: Wills, Living Wills, Incorporation, LLC Formation, Living Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Divorce, Small Claims, Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights and more. LegalZoom.com is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or counsel.

(1) http://www.petage.com/news070508.asp