A client in Phoenix once asked me to write a will that left everything to his pet iguana.

I had to explain that Arizona law doesn't recognize reptiles as legal heirs, so we set up a trust for its care instead. Has anyone else had to get creative with unusual inheritance requests?

2 comments

2 Comments

vera_adams10d ago

Setting up a trust for an iguana just feels like overkill. It's a lizard, not a kid. I get wanting to provide for a pet, but that's a lot of legal work for an animal that might not even outlive you. Couldn't you just leave some cash to a friend with clear instructions? Seems like making a simple thing way too serious.

rivera.christopher9d ago

Trusts for pets are actually pretty common, vera_adams. That legal work makes sure the money gets spent on the animal and doesn't just go to the friend. It's the right move if you really care about what happens after you're gone.