It was a Tuesday morning when June slipped on the porch step. Harold rushed out to help her, heart pounding harder than he liked. Thankfully, it wasn't a break—but a nasty sprain, some deep bruising, and a wake-up call. "She couldn't do much for a few weeks," Harold said. "And I became a nurse, chef… and Martini's very reluctant personal assistant.
But while Harold focused on June's healing, their beloved pets—Lola, their 17-year-old desert tortoise, and Martini, their talkative, overpampered cockatiel—began to show signs of stress. Lola refused to eat. Martini repeatedly shrieked "Where's my lullaby?!" from her cage. The house was, well... a stressful flutter.
That's when it hit Harold. "The routine we had—the rhythm of walks, warm baths, music at bedtime, hand-feeding Lola her romaine—it wasn't effortless," he said. "It was us. Without both of us, it all unraveled. And what if we were both gone?"
When Planning Gets Personal
The following day, June sat at the kitchen table—foot elevated, tea in hand—when she opened their American Retirement Advisor newsletter. "Our advisor David Schaeffer is holding an Inheritance Planning Workshop…" She stopped mid-sip. "Harold, he even mentions planning for pets who might outlive you. It's like David is reading our minds."
At the workshop, they were stunned by how much they hadn't thought about planning for. Following the workshop, they visited with David about their care concerns if something happened to them, including their pets' care.
Harold and June would create a Pet Trust, funded by a modest life insurance policy David found they had forgotten about. The Trust could cover funds for food, habitat needs, routine vet care, and even emergency medical costs. Next, they would decide on their guardians for their beloved pets and meet with their attorney to draft the Trust. They would also include detailed instructions: Martini's favorite musical playlists and preferred bedtime routine ("no cage cover before 8 PM"), and Lola's preferred lettuce style: shredded lengthwise only.
"It wasn't about legal documents," June said softly. "It was about making sure Lola and Martini still feel loved—even when we're not here to show it."
Now, their estate plan holds more than numbers and legal language—it carries the heartbeat of their home and a written plan for continued care and bedtime routines, shredded lettuce prep, and a cockatiel who refuses to sleep without James Taylor singing 'Sweet Baby James' at bedtime. "It's not just about who gets what," Harold added. "It's about who gets who. And how we make sure they're loved, not just left."
By American Retirement Advisors
American Retirement Advisors helps retirees and pre-retirees navigate Medicare, estate planning, and retirement income — so you can enjoy the retirement you've earned.
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Easy Eddie's Take
Harold and June's story touches on something a lot of people ask me: "What happens to my pets if I can't care for them anymore?" Here's the good news—Pet Trusts are legally recognized in all 50 states, including Arizona, and they're easier to set up than most folks think. Under current estate planning rules for 2026, you can fund a Pet Trust with life insurance proceeds, savings, or even designate it as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts like a 401(k) or IRA.
The key is being specific about everything: which veterinarian to use, what food brands your pet prefers, exercise routines, even quirky habits like Martini's bedtime playlist. Most attorneys who handle estate planning can draft a Pet Trust as part of your overall will or revocable living trust. In Arizona, these trusts can last for the lifetime of your pet, and any remaining funds go to beneficiaries you choose.
Think of it this way—if you're already working on estate planning or updating beneficiaries on retirement accounts, adding pet care instructions is just one more piece that makes sure everyone you love is taken care of. A little preparation today can make a big difference tomorrow.