What will happen to your birds?

[bonnie]

God forbid any of us leave for Home, but what will happen to your birds should you leave this world before they do? Do you have a plan? Is it in writing? I know it might be weird, but I have often thought about this. Given my situation with the inlaws, I am very concerned that if something happens to me and/or my husband they will get him back. I'm in the process of having papers drawn up.
I've lost enough people in my little life to know that even if someone SAYS that they want people to have things, that does not mean that is what will actually happen.

Just a thought

[FoxersArtist]

Honestly,
I am very itchy to draw up papers regarding the birds. Obviously Andy would do his best to care for them if something happened to me...but if something happened to both of us...?

My family is not into birds to say the least. They look at me like i'm allowing diseased waterfowl into my home, even though I keep my flock a lot cleaner than many people I know. So looking to them is totally out of the picture. I don't mean to sound redundant, but a lot of people that I know around here don't take care of their birds in a way that owns up to my standards. I would love to not be so picky, but these are my children too, and I wouldn't send Gabe and Katie just anywhere.

There are only a few people who live up to my standards for bird care...and unfortunately, they are scattered accross the nation. They are you all. So let me just ask...who wants Peggy Sue? :D

Seriously, I am desperately looking for the right matches for each of my birds should anything happen. I'm just not sure how to go about it or who to ask...and each bird is so different. Julie, I'm sending Benny Boy to you to straighten that Carl of yours out. :haha:
-Anna

[michelle]

I have a plan, and have discussed it with the parties who I'd like to take my birds, but it isn't legally binding... yet.
I will have a legal plan in place soon, I hope!
I volunteer with a bird rescue group that is sponsoring Gerry Beyer, a professor at Texas Tech's School of Law, to have a talk on "Estate Planning for Animal Lovers" in our area soon.
Apparently how to go about it can vary in different states.
He does have information about pet trusts on his Web site, too:
http://www.professorbeyer.com/Articles/Animals.htm

[Anne-Samantha's Mom]

yes, I definitely have a plan

[bonnie]

My family is not into birds to say the least...

There are only a few people who live up to my standards for bird care...
-Anna

And that is why I'm drawing them up. There is one person that I can trust to take care of him, other than my family here on HB. With these papers, she will be able to come into my home and get Chicken and all his things without having problems. The stipulations I put in place were that she must immediately contact Larry for help. Also, if she is unable to take him or can not take care of him, he goes to Larry for our HappyBirdy family to decide what is best for him.

[Sandi & U2 Cody]

I am very lucky to have a niece who is now studying to be a vet, and will soon graduate, and so we have stipulated in our will that Cody will go to her when the time comes, as we know that he will be in good hands. Right now there is no one else in the family that we could trust, as they are all dog lovers and don't really know anything about birds.

[Julie]

Julie, I'm sending Benny Boy to you to straighten that Carl of yours out. :haha:
-Anna

Anna - You know that we would NOT EVEN HESITATE with Benny Boy, he is Carls brother after all...... And if you needed a home for a couple of the tiels too that would not be an issue.

My flock consists of a grey, my old boss who has a grey has agreed to take her in if something were to happen to both of us, but I think there would be a battle over Carl. My dad and mother both love him to pieces and I guess I should figure that out for his sake!

Great idea on a thread, keep us posted on the progress.... :hihihi:

[birdie]

Honestly,
There are only a few people who live up to my standards for bird care...and unfortunately, they are scattered accross the nation. They are you all. So let me just ask...who wants Peggy Sue? :D

-Anna

You already know the answer to that:D

[birdie]

I have a notebook with instructions on who to contact, what care to give, what each bird eats, their favorite toys & notes about where they came from and how old they are, etc... I have been working on this book for awhile, and still have more to add. I have also some pics in there to help a non bird person "see" what I'm explaining. My son wants Cassie and Stella and I have a couple of nieces that want my smaller birds. Should things I have planned fall through I have contact inforamtion for a couple of small bird rescues here & a donation set aside to go with them.

What a good idea for a post, I can gather more ideas :idr:

[Sashagirl]

What an interesting thread:

I would love to say I have a written plan with the flock I have but we don't as it continues to grow.But I do have some reliable friends who will be more than willing and able to find permanent homes for each and everyone of them.My hopes are that they would be happy wherever they would end up.My family are not animal people and I wouldn't like them to be responsible for my children.

[bonnie]

I have a notebook with instructions on who to contact, what care to give, what each bird eats, their favorite toys & notes about where they came from and how old they are, etc... I have been working on this book for awhile, and still have more to add. I have also some pics in there to help a non bird person "see" what I'm explaining. My son wants Cassie and Stella and I have a couple of nieces that want my smaller birds. Should things I have planned fall through I have contact inforamtion for a couple of small bird rescues here & a donation set aside to go with them.

What a good idea for a post, I can gather more ideas :idr:
That is SO great! I had not thought about leaving his 'godmother' anything detailed like that! I'm going to do that and put it with his things!

[TikiTalks]

There are only a few people who live up to my standards for bird care...and unfortunately, they are scattered accross the nation. They are you all. So let me just ask...who wants Peggy Sue? :D

Seriously, I am desperately looking for the right matches for each of my birds should anything happen. I'm just not sure how to go about it or who to ask...and each bird is so different. Julie, I'm sending Benny Boy to you to straighten that Carl of yours out. :haha:
-Anna
I want them all =X

[Dot]

I have a notebook with instructions on who to contact, what care to give, what each bird eats, their favorite toys & notes about where they came from and how old they are, etc... I have been working on this book for awhile, and still have more to add. I have also some pics in there to help a non bird person "see" what I'm explaining. My son wants Cassie and Stella and I have a couple of nieces that want my smaller birds. Should things I have planned fall through I have contact inforamtion for a couple of small bird rescues here & a donation set aside to go with them.

What a good idea for a post, I can gather more ideas :idr:

I have their vocab, weights, and hatchdates. I have been meaning to do the favorite food and favorite toy thing. Keep reminding me.

[Dot]

My will is written and the birds are taken care of. I have to re-do it and add Leroy. At that time I will add that each bird has his own cage and she is to remain in it unless my vet specifies another cage is acceptable. It also states that my vet has the right to visit at any time and re-home these birds if she feels their care is not adequate. It also states that she must remain as their vet. I was thinking of leaving a trust to provide for toys.

The executrix and everyone who knows me understand that the birds come first. PERIOD

BTW, I made out that will and changed one part and the lawyer never smiled or said a word. Now, behind my back, that might be a different story. :haha:

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Is providing for your bird/s in a will the best route to go. Our family has a family members estate tied up in probate court for almost three years now. If your birds are provided for in a will, will they be able to be removed by the designated caregiver before the will can be probated or even located. If the will provides for financial assistance for the bird/s, probate court delays may prevent the caregiver having access the necessary funds to care for the birds. The expenses in caring for exotics can be staggering, especially if more than one bird is involved. If the caregiver has to travel, say, a few hours to retrieve the birds, I'm sure the home will have been secured by authorities especially if the deceased lived alone.

I, by no means, am familiar with the mechanics of the court system and all the can do's and can't do's legalities of handling such matters. I am wondering if a trust fund along with some kind of power of attorney for the immediate transfer of the birds, cages and any other bird related items, as well as access to the trust, be automatically granted upon the owners death or incapacitating illness or injury.

I hate to think of Cloud and Hunter spending even one night without being cared for, while their disposition is in the hands of legal bureaucracy and red tape.

[Dot]

Is providing for your bird/s in a will the best route to go. Our family has a family members estate tied up in probate court for almost three years now. If your birds are provided for in a will, will they be able to be removed by the designated caregiver before the will can be probated or even located. If the will provides for financial assistance for the bird/s, probate court delays may prevent the caregiver having access the necessary funds to care for the birds. The expenses in caring for exotics can be staggering, especially if more than one bird is involved. If the caregiver has to travel, say, a few hours to retrieve the birds, I'm sure the home will have been secured by authorities especially if the deceased lived alone.

I, by no means, am familiar with the mechanics of the court system and all the can do's and can't do's legalities of handling such matters. I am wondering if a trust fund along with some kind of power of attorney for the immediate transfer of the birds, cages and any other bird related items, as well as access to the trust, be automatically granted upon the owners death or incapacitating illness or injury.

I hate to think of Cloud and Hunter spending even one night without being cared for, while their disposition is in the hands of legal bureaucracy and red tape.

The executrix can write a check on my checking account right now. It was a shock to see her name on my statement. :haha: I have no relatives so there is no one to contest it.

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Is the executrix the one who will be getting your birds? If not, are the person/s taking your birds geographically close enough to retrieve them within a day? In the case of a sudden death, how does the executrix find out . . . reading about it in a paper? I'm not being nosey, but I'm not sure how people can insure that there is as little delay as possible in getting care for the birds. Time can also be a life and death situation for them.

[Dot]

Is the executrix the one who will be getting your birds? If not, are the person/s taking your birds geographically close enough to retrieve them within a day? In the case of a sudden death, how does the executrix find out . . . reading about it in a paper? I'm not being nosey, but I'm not sure how people can insure that there is as little delay as possible in getting care for the birds. Time can also be a life and death situation for them.

We have already had a sort of trial run. My vet is listed as my next of kin. I had what was supposed to be outpatient surgery, but ended up being much more. I actually heard the surgeon say, "I got hold of Jane Doe. I hate to leave a message like that." I never worried about my birds. An office worker and friends at church went in to my home and took, birds, food, whatever they needed. The vet also came to see me twice, which I think is above and beyond the call of duty. If I have not found homes for my birds, it will be the vet who places them. I have complete confidence in her. She has taken care of my first born for 18 years. She knows them all well.

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Thanks, Dot. This is an important topic that shouldn't be put off. I've never thought about in such depth, but it's not something that shouldn't be ignored.

I must admit, though, when you said your Vet came to visit you twice in the hospital, it made me laugh. I could just imagine the looks she got from hospital staff when she arrived wearing her birdie print scrubs along with a name tag with DVM after her name, asking to see Dot. :haha:

[FoxersArtist]

So after my post last night, I really started thinking about this...and started to worry. That being said, and on a very serious note, who here would consider having one of mine willed to them? We have a B&G macaw, GW macaw, 2 amazons, DYH & OW, a BE2, 2 red lories, a ringneck, and 6 cockatiels. Thats a lot of birds to have no future if something were to happen to us...

Most of our birds were rescues/rehomes and they need special care. Peggy Sue is prone to screaming if she isn't cared for the right way. Uriel has a heart attack when placed in a cage, but chews through manzanita like it's cardboard, loretta is old and crippled, PJ and Chrissy are extremely cage aggressive but wonderfully soft hearted outside of the cage - but what if someone just gave up on them because they wouldn't come out? Benny is tender and needs a gentle hand and an open line of communication to keep from plucking himself, both lories are hyperactive, time consuming and unpredictable, and 2 of our 6 tiels are totally wild rescues. Who would put up with all of that?! God, please let me out live my birds! :confused:
-Anna
-Anna

[TikiTalks]

So after my post last night, I really started thinking about this...and started to worry. That being said, and on a very serious note, who here would consider having one of mine willed to them? We have a B&G macaw, GW macaw, 2 amazons, DYH & OW, a BE2, 2 red lories, a ringneck, and 6 cockatiels. Thats a lot of birds to have no future if something were to happen to us...

Most of our birds were rescues/rehomes and they need special care. Peggy Sue is prone to screaming if she isn't cared for the right way. Uriel has a heart attack when placed in a cage, but chews through manzanita like it's cardboard, loretta is old and crippled, PJ and Chrissy are extremely cage aggressive but wonderfully soft hearted outside of the cage - but what if someone just gave up on them because they wouldn't come out? Benny is tender and needs a gentle hand and an open line of communication to keep from plucking himself, both lories are hyperactive, time consuming and unpredictable, and 2 of our 6 tiels are totally wild rescues. Who would put up with all of that?! God, please let me out live my birds! :confused:
-Anna
-Anna

Every night I pray for a lot of different people and this post has made Shane and I think. My mother would give my birds to the humane society. The only ones i trust if something were to happen to shane and myself are you all. I would hope that my dear friend would take them and if need be place them in good homes.. Anna, as far as your birdies, know that if anything were to happen, even if I had to drive 2000 miles and give Larry your birdies I'd do what I could, that goes for the entire happy birdy family :)

[Wanda and Flock]

I was checking out this place that is run by Texas A&M today. Where people send their pets when they are...you know, getting up there. It is very expensive to place pets with them. Like in the 50-85k range per pet. WOW! The place is really great but who can afford that??? I have made up my mind that I am just going to move in with Anna. That way, I am there if she needs me and vice versa. See how that works? Shhhhh! I haven't told her yet though...:hide:

[FoxersArtist]

HaHa...
little do you know! You'll come here and have small children running off with your shoes. Then you'll get pellets and the occasional grape stuck to your bare foot while your wandering around in search of that lost shoe. You'll have to put up with my singing and worst of all, andy's singing...especially in the morning. You'll go into the bathroom to take a shower and discover that the stall has been occupied by perches which must be soaked in order to get macaw cement poo off. Then once you're out of the shower you'll go to get dressed and realize that there are no undergarments in the drawer so you will spend the next 10 minutes sifting through a pile of clean laundry, cursing the dryer, which seems to eat important items such as these.

Are you sure you want to live here? The birds have it made in the shade...I'm still undecided about the rest of us. ;)
-Anna

[Wanda and Flock]

:rofl:

Maybe I'll build a house down the street...and just visit- ALOT. The only element you have that I didn't is the little people in your house. Mine are all grown now. I actually miss that.
I know birds' poo is a good source of guerilla glue or similar substance. I scrubbed it off my floor for hours today. (Exept this time, every time I scraped up poo, I smiled. Go figure.:sadeyes:)

It is off of my chairs, my couch, the floors...not much left. I chased little bits of white fluff all around the house with the vaccum. You know how it is.

The first thing I noticed in your video of Lucy is her doing her business. I bet you just cleaned there. She does that on purpose!

[Dot]

Thanks, Dot. This is an important topic that shouldn't be put off. I've never thought about in such depth, but it's not something that should be ignored.

I must admit, though, when you said your Vet came to visit you twice in the hospital, it made me laugh. I could just imagine the looks she got from hospital staff when she arrived wearing her birdie print scrubs along with a name tag with DVM after her name, asking to see Dot. :haha:

Even worse. She brought with her a "Sacred Bird" so I would not have to be without a bird. If the photo doesn't work, you can view it at:
http://www.shopgadgetsandgizmos.com/product/1860/

It is a Toucan on a perch. It has a microphone in it and it repeats whatever you say to it. To see my BFA with it, go to this URL
http://www.dropshots.com/drambin
and scroll down to Sat. and Sun. June 3 and 4.

I finally got rid of the bird when I was trying to take it upstairs to hide it and Tommie (BFA) got me instead of the bird. I had given the vet one and she got rid of it by taking it to the hospital for me to have. I think the talking Toucan caused much more trouble than joy.

[Dot]

Thanks, Dot. This is an important topic that shouldn't be put off. I've never thought about in such depth, but it's not something that should be ignored.

I must admit, though, when you said your Vet came to visit you twice in the hospital, it made me laugh. I could just imagine the looks she got from hospital staff when she arrived wearing her birdie print scrubs along with a name tag with DVM after her name, asking to see Dot. :haha:

Even worse. She brought with her a "Sacred Bird" so I would not have to be without a bird. If the photo doesn't work, you can view it at:
http://www.shopgadgetsandgizmos.com/product/1860/

It is a Toucan on a perch. It has a microphone in it and it repeats whatever you say to it. To see my BFA with it, go to this URL
http://www.dropshots.com/drambin
and scroll down to Sat. and Sun. June 3 and 4.

I finally got rid of the bird when I was trying to take it upstairs to hide it and Tommie (BFA) got me instead of the bird. I had given the vet one and she got rid of it by taking it to the hospital for me to have. I think the talking Toucan caused much more trouble than joy.

[Evelyn]

I wrote a long post about the pros and cons of wills vs trusts vs doing nothing regarding caring for your birds after your death, but I can't find it now. Does anybody remember seeing it? It was very late. I could have written it but failed to post it. And it was so good!

Evelyn

[Evelyn]

Anna -

I would take Loretta if your birds outlive you. I'm a real sucker for a disabled or unattractive bird.

Evelyn

[Evelyn]

I was checking out this place that is run by Texas A&M today. Where people send their pets when they are...you know, getting up there. It is very expensive to place pets with them. Like in the 50-85k range per pet. WOW! The place is really great but who can afford that??? I have made up my mind that I am just going to move in with Anna. That way, I am there if she needs me and vice versa. See how that works? Shhhhh! I haven't told her yet though...:hide:

Wanda -

Hey, wait just a cotton-pickin' minute here!!! (That's what genteel Southerners say instead of cuss words.)

I am working on a plan for us both to ditch our husbands and become "life-partners." One of the talking points is where we would live; and living down the street from Anna would be ideal.

Next was what kind of ring you would want. I'm in favor of one made of little parrot feathers weaved together in a circle. Or, we could make a mold and pour in some not-yet-dry bird poop. That hardens like cement.

Of course, Uncle would have to give away the bride (that's you, BTW).

We'll honeymoon at Parrot Mountain in Tennessee.

Now, whose going to go out and earn a living and who is going to stay home with the fids?

Evelyn

[FoxersArtist]

:rofl: HaHaHa! Hey, the 2 acre lot next door hasn't been sold. At least I would be assured that one of the neighbors wouldn't mind the birds. That can be my contribution to your "relationship."
-Anna

[bonnie]

So after my post last night, I really started thinking about this...and started to worry. That being said, and on a very serious note, who here would consider having one of mine willed to them? We have a B&G macaw, GW macaw, 2 amazons, DYH & OW, a BE2, 2 red lories, a ringneck, and 6 cockatiels. Thats a lot of birds to have no future if something were to happen to us...

Most of our birds were rescues/rehomes and they need special care. Peggy Sue is prone to screaming if she isn't cared for the right way. Uriel has a heart attack when placed in a cage, but chews through manzanita like it's cardboard, loretta is old and crippled, PJ and Chrissy are extremely cage aggressive but wonderfully soft hearted outside of the cage - but what if someone just gave up on them because they wouldn't come out? Benny is tender and needs a gentle hand and an open line of communication to keep from plucking himself, both lories are hyperactive, time consuming and unpredictable, and 2 of our 6 tiels are totally wild rescues. Who would put up with all of that?! God, please let me out live my birds! :confused:
-Anna
-Anna
I would take Mars and Orbit in a heartbeat! Then again, I'd do anything you asked of me anyway! LOL

[Wanda and Flock]

Now, whose going to go out and earn a living and who is going to stay home with the fids?

Evelyn

I will stay with them! And we can ship my husband over to yours. Seems fair enough! Now, you taking my last name? Because his last name is mudddddd! :madd:

[Wanda and Flock]

Anna can be our flower girl too! She can present our hardened bird poop rings on a manzanite branch. My dress will be made of feathers,sisal and trimmed with foot toys...oh, or did you want the dress? And of course, we will take the 2 acres next to her and build a huge aviary. The last 1/8 acre left will be a trailer, right? We'll make her so darn tootin' proud we're neighbors! The whole neighborhood will just love it. We can hang a bit ol' sign on the side of the trailer for those that don't...."If you ain't with us, you's against us!"

Now, something borrowed and something blue....:umm:

Isn't Peggy Sue blue?:idr:

For the music, we'll make our own recording...using Dolly! Sounds like music to me! And we can have a gen-u-whine ho-down-shin-dig reception....:nanner::nanr::dancingg:

Problem solved!

[too&me]

I'll see if the Bedlam Bards are available to come play rousing Sea shantys & I volunteer to be the Matron of Honor or clean up crew-whatever.:party:

[Diane, Clouds assignment]

Cody has a tuxedo . . . so I'd say you have a best man.

[FoxersArtist]

Where's Dot? I want to know HER take on all this...And of course I would be the flower girl, but only if Cody will ride on my shoulder up the isle. HeHe. Now thats a bird I would like to shake talons with.
-Anna

[Dot]

Where's Dot? I want to know HER take on all this...And of course I would be the flower girl, but only if Cody will ride on my shoulder up the isle. HeHe. Now thats a bird I would like to shake talons with.
-Anna

How did this tread end up in the very serious one about what happens to birds when we die?

In answer to the frivolous stuff going on, let me say that you are going about it all wrong. We figured this out years ago on another list. There is no need for remarrying or adopting new people into your family or even buying the lot down the street.

Oh, but if only we had the money. What we need is a retirement home for us and our birds. When we decide we cannot make it any longer in our homes, our birds move with us to this very select nursing home for older birders and birds. Then we can just walk down the hall and visit with each other. See, problem solved. Next time just ask me! :haha:

[FoxersArtist]

I love it! Now...who is going to rganize THIS one? Hmmm?
-Anna

[Wanda and Flock]

Yeah, she has a better idea. I couldn't buy the lot next door anyway. I was going to have to try to claim squatter's rights or something...

[too&me]

Does that mean I don't have to chop a lot of fresh veggies & fruits for the reception?

[Evelyn]

I will stay with them! And we can ship my husband over to yours. Seems fair enough! Now, you taking my last name? Because his last name is mudddddd! :madd:

We can use mine (Krippendorf), or we can hyphenate my last name and your maiden name, or we can use your maiden name, or we can make up an entirely new name.

Evelyn

[TikiTalks]

... Will you all plan my april wedding for me?! :D

[TikiTalks]

We can use mine (Krippendorf), or we can hyphenate my last name and your maiden name, or we can use your maiden name, or we can make up an entirely new name.

Evelyn
Evelyn,
I think that.. the best last name would be your A(v)(l)ian code nameS! :). Something along the lines of

raspberryfartwhootwhoot :)

[Evelyn]

Wanda -

We can both wear dresses.

Cody would be the perfect best man.

I'll buy the lot, using my retirement fund. We'll go all out on the aviary, but build only what we need for us. If I could have a little corner for a law office, I could generate some income to feed all the birds that Wanda and I together would probably acquire.

I had another idea. What about an avian commune. Those of us who have husbands (or wives) who would prefer to be birdless, we can all live together, divide up bird-care duties. We all contribute what we are good at.

I doubt Anna would ever qualify as a member of the commune because he sounds like one-in-a-million, but maybe she would donate some drawings/artwork for us to sell.

But we have to do the book first. I can only concentrate on one project at a time.

Evelyn

[Evelyn]

Evelyn,
I think that.. the best last name would be your A(v)(l)ian code nameS! :). Something along the lines of

raspberryfartwhootwhoot :)


Perfect!

Evelyn

[Evelyn]

Evelyn,
I think that.. the best last name would be your A(v)(l)ian code nameS! :). Something along the lines of

raspberryfartwhootwhoot :)


Pefect, except I don't know whether or not birds fart. We had this discussion on B&W before I was banned, but I don't think we ever reached a conclusive answer.

One guy said he knew his bird farted because he heard the bird do it; but we determined that the bird was only imitating his owner.

Evelyn

[Evelyn]

"How did this tread end up in the very serious one about what happens to birds when we die?""

Because I have a warped sense of humor, and I want revenge on Wanda's husband.

Evelyn

[Evelyn]

... Will you all plan my april wedding for me?! :D


Of course we will. I've always wanted to be a wedding planner. But are you sure you want us to? You know that some of us are a few feathers short of being fully feathered?

Evelyn

[Evelyn]

Actually, I think Dot's idea of an avian retirement home for birds and their owners is a better idea. We can still build on the lot next to Anna's.

Evelyn

[TikiTalks]

Of course we will. I've always wanted to be a wedding planner. But are you sure you want us to? You know that some of us are a few feathers short of being fully feathered?

Evelyn
Yes I'm sure! Foot toy party favors seem to be in order for this one :)

[Evelyn]

Here is the missing post on providing for pets after your death. It was floating around in cyberspace--no doubt hi-jacked by the Mothership.

I just drew up a trust for a client with parrots.

There are several different ways to approach providing for your birds after your death.

1. You can leave them to a person in your will. However, when you die, the birds become the property of that person and you have no say-so over what happens to them. Te beneficiary can sell them, take them to a shelter, euthanize them--whateverhe/she wants to do. Also, it usually takes a minimum of a year to settle an estate.

2. If you die with birds, and they are not specifically mentioned in your will, they will go with your "residual estate," meaning everything that was not specifically bequeathed to somebody. You lose all control. The Executrix of the will or the heirs can sell them if they wish.

3. It doesn't matter what you might write out as far as instructions for what to do with the birds. If it isn't in your will, it isn't binding.

4. The ideal way to provide for your birds after death is to set up a pet trust. Pet trusts are enforceable in most states. In the trust agreement you would designate a person to be the caregiver, and the same person or another person to be the trustee of the trust. You need to fund it in some way, and a life insurance policy is a good way to do that. The caregiver actually takes care of the birds, and the trustee handles the money (invests it and pays it out according to instructions in the trust). The money in the trust would pay for food, medical expenses, toys--all those costs related to birds; and you would probably want to compensate the caregiver in some way.

5. You could leave the birds to a sanctuary along with a money donation. Beware of sanctuaries, though. Many of them are not desirable places to leave a bird; and you can't be sure it will remain in business.

The foregoing is to considered as general information only and not legal advice. See your own attorney regarding the laws in your specific state.

Evelyn

Evelyn

[Larry, Baby and Me]

5. You could leave the birds to a sanctuary along with a money donation. Beware of sanctuaries, though. Many of them are not desirable places to leave a bird; and you can't be sure it will remain in business.

Evelyn - what valuable information. And I never gave it a thought that a sanctuary might not continue to be in business. Makes sense.

[Wanda and Flock]

You wouldn't want to carry my maiden name...it's Hicks! HA! Imagine that, Wanda Jean Hicks Whoopfartpoopiefoot Krippendorf.

Seriously though, I am with Anna. I am scared of what might happen if I get mine back and then something happened to me... We all know the answer to that. I have no one in my family and I sure don't have a million dollars laying around, not even close at this point. And, if something did happen to me and I wanted some of what I do have to go to whomever had my birds, can't Dave fight that if he's still around anyway? Doesn't the spouse have to agree? Texas is a community property state, does that mean he gets everything regardless of my wishes? I have to check into that!

[bonnie]

I got the papers I had drawn up today. It may not be the best way to go about it, but I typed up something that basically looks like this:


Transfer of Ownership



Comes now, Bonnie , and states the following:

In the event of my untimely death or if I am ever in a vegetative state I wish for Ashley to be able to come into my home immediately and gather my Moluccan Cockatoo (band #) and all of his paraphernalia of every shape and kind. No questions asked. She is the person I feel, other than myself, has the most knowledge, love and understanding for Chicken.

Upon such transfer of ownership she is to immediately contact Larry . He will be able to coach her through anything she needs help with. His contact information listed below. Also, if Ashley is unable to take Chicken for any reason or feels she can no longer properly care for him, Larry is to be contacted and the bird will be placed in his care. He has been instructed on what to do from that point on.


_______________________________
Bonnie


VERIFICATION

}SS:


STATE OF OKLAHOMA

COUNTY OF

I have reviewed the statements herein and believe them to be true.

_________________________________________
Bonnie

Signed and sworn to before me on _____________________, 2008, by Bonnie

_________________________________________
Notary Public



It is now signed and notarized and ready to go.

[FoxersArtist]

Wanda...They could certainly come back here! :D
-Anna

[Evelyn]

Wanda -

You could fund the trust with term life insurance policy. I don't know your age or the condition of your health, but unless you are 80 and have some terminal illness, the premium might be affordable.

As far as what happens in a communityproperty state when a person dies, I don't know, but I will do a little research and let you know.

Bonnie -

I'm sorry to tell you that your document won't do what you want it to. The way it is drafted, it only takes effect at your death, and the moment you die, your property is no longer yours. It goes to the beneficiaries in your will, or if there is no will, then according to the intestacy laws (each state has laws about what happens to property when a person dies without a will).

I wish I could draft wills or trusts for all of you, but I am licensed to practice only in Virginia. I have, however, come across some forms that I will find and post for you. There is also a fair amount of information on the Internet about providing for your birds after death. My post was just a thumbnail. I'll find some websites and post those as well.

Evelyn

[bonnie]

Wanda -

You could fund the trust with term life insurance policy. I don't know your age or the condition of your health, but unless you are 80 and have some terminal illness, the premium might be affordable.

As far as what happens in a communityproperty state when a person dies, I don't know, but I will do a little research and let you know.

Bonnie -

I'm sorry to tell you that your document won't do what you want it to. The way it is drafted, it only takes effect at your death, and the moment you die, your property is no longer yours. It goes to the beneficiaries in your will, or if there is no will, then according to the intestacy laws (each state has laws about what happens to property when a person dies without a will).

I wish I could draft wills or trusts for all of you, but I am licensed to practice only in Virginia. I have, however, come across some forms that I will find and post for you. There is also a fair amount of information on the Internet about providing for your birds after death. My post was just a thumbnail. I'll find some websites and post those as well.

Evelyn
That is good to know.
Back to the drawing board!

[bonnie]

I have also started on my notebook for Ashely to put with Chicken's things, just in case. I've began listing things that belong to him, his favorite foods, his routeins. I'm putting in everything I can think of and everything I have learned.