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A commotion ensued as an elderly woman garnered attention for bypassing her children in her will, choosing instead to bequeath her entire fortune to her pets.
And it’s not a mere token gesture either, as Ms. Liu, the elderly woman, left her pets a substantial sum rather than just a nominal amount.
Ms. Liu from Shanghai, whose precise age remained unconfirmed, amended her will, claiming that her children had neglected her during her later years by not visiting her sufficiently, especially after her health deteriorated.
Meanwhile, her pets offered her solace and companionship during her later years.
Discovering that the solace and camaraderie provided is valued at the sum of $2.8 million she bequeathed them.
The will has generated a legal puzzle since, technically, it is against the law in China to bequeath an inheritance to one’s pets.
Currently, a nearby veterinary clinic has been designated to supervise and manage the estate.
Zonglan News and South China Morning Post report existing legal challenges that impede the bequest to animals.
Presently, authorities are exploring alternative avenues to address the unique circumstances and find a resolution.
It’s like the dog won the rollover. Credit: PM Images / Getty
Chen Kai, an official at the national headquarters of China’s Will Registration Centre in Beijing, mentioned that there are “alternatives to resolve this issue.”
The official stated, “Liu’s existing will is one option, and we would have recommended her to appoint a trusted individual to oversee the veterinary clinic, ensuring proper care for the pets.”
Ms. Liu is not the sole individual to adopt such a measure in the context of inheritances and dogs.
Real estate billionaire Leona Helmsley, famously known as the ‘Queen of Mean,’ bequeathed a substantial fortune of $12 million to her dog Trouble, while excluding two out of her four grandchildren from any inheritance.
She provided no specific details regarding the exclusion of her grandchildren, Craig Panzirer and Meegan Panzirer, stating, “I have not made any provisions in this will for my grandson Craig Panzirer or my granddaughter Meegan Panzirer for reasons which are known to them.”
That’s one lucky dog. Credit: Joe McBride / Getty
Helmsley is also recognized for reportedly telling a housekeeper, who asserted that the billionaire said to her: “Taxes are not something we concern ourselves with. Only individuals of modest means worry about taxes.”
Subsequently, Helmsley faced tax evasion charges in 1989, leading to an 18-month sentence in federal prison. Despite the conviction, she maintained her innocence regarding the alleged comment.
The case garnered significant attention, prompting a judge to later decree that the inheritance left for Trouble be diminished to a mere $2 million.
A challenging day for Trouble, indeed.
