Individual
One person — property, retirement accounts, or a pet to plan for.
Typically Includes
- Pet trust
- Revocable living trust
- Will, POA & healthcare directive
- Beneficiary alignment on every account
Pet TrustMake Sure Your Pet Never Ends Up in a Shelter.
A pet trust names a caretaker, sets aside funds for food, vet care, and daily needs, and makes it legally enforceable — not just a hopeful request.
Deborah Smiley is a Missouri estate attorney and a CFP® — a Certified Financial Planner — so the funding amount is based on real numbers, not a guess.
Free 30-minute consultationNo obligation
30 Years
Practicing law
11 Years
In wealth management, alongside her law practice
CFP®
Certified Financial Planner
AEP®
Accredited Estate Planner
What it does
What a Pet Trust Actually Does
Turns "someone will take care of my pet" from a hope into a legally binding, funded plan.
Someone you trust takes physical custody of your pet, with a backup named in case they can't serve.
Food, veterinary visits, grooming, and daily expenses are covered from money you set aside — not from the caretaker's own pocket.
Missouri law allows a court to enforce the trust's terms — unlike an informal request, which no one has to honor.
A trustee manages and disburses the funds, so the caretaker doesn't also have to handle the money.
Diet, medical history, and even end-of-life preferences can be written into the trust.
Multiple animals can be named in a single trust, with funds allocated for each.
Deborah Smiley is a Missouri estate attorney and a CFP® — a Certified Financial Planner — so the funding amount is based on real numbers, not a guess.
What it doesn't do
What a Pet Trust Doesn't Do
Said plainly, so you know what else to plan for.
Courts can reduce funding that's clearly excessive for your pet's care, with anything extra going to a named remainder beneficiary.
A pet trust addresses your pet's care. A will still directs everything else you own and names guardians for any minor children.
Learn about Wills →A pet you get after signing isn't included unless the trust is written to anticipate that.
Not sure how this applies to your situation?
Call 636-214-0546What we watch for
Common Mistakes We Watch For
Most pet trusts fail to actually protect a pet for reasons that have nothing to do with the paperwork itself. Here's what we check for, every time.
If your first choice can't or won't serve, your pet needs a plan B. We name a backup, every time.
Too little leaves a caretaker paying out of pocket. Too much can invite a court to reduce it. We calculate a real number based on your pet's actual needs.
Without someone assigned to make sure the trustee follows the terms, the trust can go unmonitored. We name one from the start.
Pricing
How Your Pet Trust Is Priced
A pet trust is rarely priced on its own. Most plans are a flat fee, set before you commit to anything, that covers it alongside whatever else you need. What changes the number is complexity — whether you're planning alone, as a couple, or across multiple assets and entities.
Couple
Two people — one coordinated plan instead of two that may conflict.
Typically Includes
- Pet trust, coordinated
- Joint or mirror living trusts
- Wills for each spouse, coordinated
- A clear roadmap for the first death
Complex or High Net Worth
Multiple assets, entities, or a business — coordinated with your CPA and other advisors.
Typically Includes
- Pet trust, integrated with your broader plan
- Irrevocable & tax-minimizing trusts
- Business succession & family entities
- Coordinated with your CPA & advisors
Get an exact number for your situation — the first call is free.
Call 636-214-0546The process
How Your Pet Trust Gets Built
Daily care, medical history, and who you'd trust to step in — in one real meeting.
1
We map your pet's needs and your caretaker choice
Daily care, medical history, and who you'd trust to step in — in one real meeting.
2
We draft it
Caretaker, trustee, and funding terms written to work together, not against each other.
3
We fund it
Money set aside and accessible to the trustee exactly when it's needed.
4
We stay
Reviewed every year, so it still matches your pet's needs and your caretaker's circumstances.
Your attorney
Why Families Trust Deborah With This
Deborah Smiley
JD · CFP® · AEP®Deborah has practiced law in Missouri for 30 years. For 11 of those years, she also worked in wealth management — a combination that matters here too, since setting aside the right amount for a pet's care over its lifetime is a financial calculation as much as a legal one.
She's a CFP® (Certified Financial Planner) and an AEP® (Accredited Estate Planner) — credentials very few estate attorneys hold together.
30 yrsPracticing law in Missouri
11 yrsIn wealth management, alongside her law practice
CFP®Certified Financial Planner
AEP®Accredited Estate Planner
Past ChairProbate & Trust Committee, Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis
Ready to talk through your plan?
Call 636-214-0546Client Reviews
Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
I met Deb and I thought I had all my estate and business planning affairs in order; then she asked me questions that made me realize I had a lot more planning to do.
Jamie
Deb and I have been collaborative partners for almost 20 years. She has taken great care of my clients.
Paul
I have known Deb for years and she has given me peace of mind with my estate planning needs.
Carol
Deb has been instrumental in helping my family with their estate planning needs. We are grateful for her.
David
Deb has been very helpful with my and my family's estate and business planning.
Kelly
When we first moved here, I didn't realize how many legal revisions and details were needed. I heard Deb speak at a luncheon and was so impressed with her legal knowledge. Deb has been very helpful with my family's estate planning. She gave us peace of mind.
Jenny
Deb, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of your work and concern.
Bob and Myra
Deb was very responsive and helpful.
Chris
Deb was so helpful and even came to our house.
Missy and Ray
Deb was very responsive, helpful and intelligent.
John and Julie
Deb has been a great partner over the years and takes great care of my referrals/clients for their planning needs.
Harvey
I met Deb and I thought I had all my estate and business planning affairs in order; then she asked me questions that made me realize I had a lot more planning to do.
Jamie
Deb and I have been collaborative partners for almost 20 years. She has taken great care of my clients.
Paul
I have known Deb for years and she has given me peace of mind with my estate planning needs.
Carol
Deb has been instrumental in helping my family with their estate planning needs. We are grateful for her.
David
Deb has been very helpful with my and my family's estate and business planning.
Kelly
When we first moved here, I didn't realize how many legal revisions and details were needed. I heard Deb speak at a luncheon and was so impressed with her legal knowledge. Deb has been very helpful with my family's estate planning. She gave us peace of mind.
Jenny
Deb, thank you so much, we really appreciate all of your work and concern.
Bob and Myra
Deb was very responsive and helpful.
Chris
Deb was so helpful and even came to our house.
Missy and Ray
Deb was very responsive, helpful and intelligent.
John and Julie
Questions
Questions
A legal trust that names a caretaker for your pet and sets aside funds for its care, enforceable by Missouri courts.
Yes. Missouri law specifically allows trusts for the care of a pet or other animal.
Pets are legally considered property. Without instructions, they may go through probate like other property, or be surrendered to a shelter if no one steps up.
You can, but it's not legally enforceable. The person could keep the money without providing care. A pet trust makes it a binding obligation instead.
Enough to realistically cover food, veterinary care, and daily expenses for your pet's expected lifetime — we calculate a real number based on your pet's needs, not a guess.
Yes. Multiple pets can be named in a single trust, with funds allocated for each.
It goes to whoever you name as the remainder beneficiary — often a person or a charity you choose.
It's rarely priced on its own — most plans bundle it with a will and other documents into one flat fee. Call for a free 30-minute consultation and you'll know your exact fee before you commit to anything.
Ready to Make Sure Your Pet Is Cared For?
Call to schedule your free 30-minute consultation with Deborah — no obligation.
Call 636-214-0546Free 30-minute consultationNo obligationReal person answers