Page 16 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 20, 2023 avavvyvy avvy S iorn oreniioor a avvy iori by Jim Miller Protecting Your Pets After You’re Gone Dear Savvy Senior, What is the best way to ensure my pets are taken care of after I’m gone? I have two dogs and a cat that are my four-legged family, and I want to make sure they’ll be well taken care of after I die. Solo Senior Dear Solo, It’s a great question. Every year, approximately 500,000 cats and dogs enter shelters when their pet parents experience an emergency or pass away. Without a proper plan in place for the future care of your pets, they are at risk of ending up in a shelter where they could be euthanized. To avoid this terrifying scenario and ensure your furry family is cared for both physically and fi nancially after you’re gone, you should consider including them in your estate plan. Talk to your attorney about how to insert them in your will or trust in accordance with your state’s laws. Here’s what you’ll need to do. Wills If you already have a will or are planning to make one, you could simply add in a trusted caretaker clause for your pets, along with an alternative if your fi rst choice falls through. You should also set aside money in your will for your pet’s care with an explanation of how the funds should be spent. To determine how much to leave, multiply your pet’s annual food, care and medical costs by their life expectancies. You may want to add a separate document, called a letter of instruction, describing your pet’s routine, food and medication. But be aware that even with this provision in your will the caretaker is not legally obligated to follow your instructions, spend the money as you intended or send the pet to another caretaker that you’ve named. Once the money is distributed to the caretaker, it’s an honor system. Trusts Another option is to create a pet trust, which provides more legal protections. Depending on your state’s laws (see aspca. org/pet-care/pet-planning/pet-trust-laws), you could set up either a revocable pet trust, which can be changed or canceled during your lifetime, or an irrevocable pet trust that can’t be reversed. A pet trust can be completely separate or part of an existing trust that encompasses your other assets. Along with appointing a trustee to manage your trust’s fi - nances, you name your pet’s caretaker (who could also serve as the trustee), and any alternative caretakers, as well as an optional trust protector for added oversight of the trustee given that the benefi ciary (your pets) can’t defend their own rights. Unlike a will, the caretaker has a fi duciary duty to follow your letter of instruction if you include one. The cost for a living trust range anywhere between $1,000 to $3,000, while a will typically costs between $200 and $1,000. There are also cheaper do-it-yourself resources for making a simple will or trust, like Nolo’s Quicken WillMaker & Trust (Nolo.com, $99) and Trust & Will (TrustandWill. com, $159). Or, if that’s more than you’re willing to pay, you can make your will for free at FreeWill.com or DoYourOwnWill.com. Other Arrangements If you don’t have anyone who would be willing to take care of your pets after you’re gone, you should make arrangements to leave them to an animal retirement home, a rescue, humane society, pet care program or other animal welfare group. Many of these organizations fi nd new homes for pets or off er lifetime care but may require a fee or donation. Talk to your veterinarian about the options available in your area. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “Th e Savvy Senior” book. Christopher Rosa City of Malden Tree Warden October 20, 27, 2023 Girls’ soccer team picks up win against Shawsheen By Emily Brennan M ystic Valley defeated Shawsheen 6-2 Thursday afternoon, their second meeting of the season. With the victory, the Eagles improved to 8-3-1 overall on the season. The Eagles off ense struck fi rst, taking a 1-0 lead only four minutes into the game when senior forward Reilly Hickey scored off a Lucia Antonucci free kick. Mystic Valley took a 2-0 lead just under 15 minutes later when Antonucci scored off an assist from sophomore winger Julia Kearns. Shawsheen battled back hard and scored, putting the pressure on the Lady Eagles to put a stop to the momentum shift. The Eagles decided they weren’t done scoring in the fi rst half as Antonucci found Hickey in the 37th minute of play to put Mystic Valley up 3-1. In the second half, with a formation change to a 4-5-1, MV focused on possession and connecting passes to take control of the game. Mystic Valley extended the lead to three (41) in the 60th minute of play when Hickey scored her third goal of the game, this time assisted by Evie Reynolds. After trailing for most of the match, Lucia Antonucci the Rams made a late game push and scored their second goal of the game in the 70th minute of play. Exactly two minutes later, Mystic Valley netted a fourth goal – coming from Kearns – to put the game out of reach for the Rams. MV would score one again from Hickey, her fourth and final goal of the game. Emily DeLeire played the entire game in net for the Eagles, making fi ve saves in the win. LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF MALDEN PUBLIC TREE HEARING In accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 87, Section 3, notice is herewith given that a public hearing will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Wednesday, the 1st day of November 2023 at Malden City Hall Conference Room 105, 215 Pleasant Street, Malden, Massachusetts for the purpose of determining if the three (3) public shade trees shall be removed or remain per the Tree Warden of the City of Malden. The trees are located at or around the address identified below: RESIDENT REQUEST’S DUE TO PROPERTY AND UTILITY ISSUE’S Address Street 453 HIGHLAND AVE. 2 FOREST COURT 163 BAINBRIDGE ST. DBH (IN) 15 14 13 Common Name JAPANESE ZELKOVA HONEYLOCUST RED MAPLE OBJECTIONS TO THE REMOVAL OF ANY TREE(S) MUST BE RECEIVED IN WRITING BY THE TREE WARDEN AT THE ABOVE LISTED ADDRESS PRIOR TO OR AT THE TREE HEARING.
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