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Siblings Wiped From Mom’s Will After Failing To Visit Her, Pets To Inherit $2.8 Million Fortune
A woman’s impressive level of pettiness saw her leaving her fortune worth millions to her animals instead of her children. The elderly woman in Shanghai, China, identified by her surname, Liu, decided to leave her $2.8 million fortune to her cats and dogs instead of her adult children because they reportedly never visited her, whereas her pets have continuously remained loyal and kept her company.
According to The Independent, Liu changed her will because her three children allegedly neglected her in her old age, while her furry friends provided companionship and comfort.
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An elderly woman in Shanghai, China, identified by her surname, Liu, left her fortune worth millions to her animals instead of her children
Image credits: freepik
Image credits: China.com
A local veterinary clinic has been appointed as the administrator of her inheritance and is responsible for the care of the animals, The South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
Liu initially wanted to leave her entire fortune directly to her animals, but the practice is not legal in China, according to Chen Kai, an official from the country’s Will Registration Centre headquarters in Beijing.
Liu decided to leave her $2.8 million fortune to her cats and dogs instead of her adult children because they reportedly never visited her
Image credits: Lina Kivaka/Pexels
Chen explained: “However, there are alternatives to solve this issue.
“Liu’s current will is one way, and we would have advised her to appoint a person she trusts to supervise the vet clinic to ensure the pets are properly cared for.”
Another official from the eastern China branch of the China Will Registration Centre said they had alerted Liu to the risks of putting all her money in the hands of the pet clinic before she made her final will, the SCMP reported.
A local veterinary clinic has been appointed as the administrator of her inheritance
Image credits: Efrem Efre/Pexels
The official said: “We told Auntie Liu that if her children change their attitude towards her, she could always alter her will again.”
Liu wouldn’t be the first to leave money to their beloved pets. Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld left $1.5 million to his cat Choupette before passing away in 2019 at the age of 85.
According to American digital estate Gentreo, in the US, pets are considered property and part of your estate, so one cannot legally leave money or any assets to a pet in their Last Will and Testament.
In the US, pets are considered property and part of your estate, so one cannot legally leave money or any assets to a pet
Image credits: freepik
However, a person can name someone as a pet guardian (a beneficiary) in their Will to whom they can leave their pet when they pass.
A person can also include specific instructions for the guardian to follow with regard to caring for their pet.
Most countries share similar laws.
“I thought it only happened in movies,” a reader commented
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What do you think ?
Seb Benson 1 year ago
Good for her! Her money, her choice. I most certainly would not have used the word "pettiness" to describe her. Shame on you Andréa Oldereide and Karina Babenok for your choice of words!
WindySwede 1 year ago
Cats deserve good. But also what if the kids went NC because of they prioritising their mental health over money? Or the kids were a******s and the mom did the right thing? Or maybe I missed some part here? 🤷♂️
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The Starsong Princess 1 year ago
I suspect she has the relationship with her children that she earned.
Anony Mouse 1 year ago
Her money, her right, etc. But what a waste. Why not leave the pets with someone she trusted to love and care for them, and give them a generous stipend to do so. Then the rest of the money could have gone to animal rescues and charities.
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
One would assume that she doesn't have someone she loves and trusts or she would have done so. Leaving the money to the pets and in effect to the vet clinic does help other animals. One would also assume that she has at least some degree of familiarity with the vets and nurses at the clinic and believes they will care well for her pets and use the money responsibly. Why leave the money to complete strangers who may or may not use it well. This way her pets are looked after and the money hopefully helps other pets in the future.
Load More Replies...
Guess Undheit 1 year ago
My "parents" were the sort of scum that if they _were_ worth millions, that if I hadn't cut ties 20+ years ago and they knew where I was, I would not have taken a dime from them no attended funeral. But I might pi$$ on their graves.
Violet Radar 1 year ago
Same. My "mother" is blind, 86, in assisted living, and spends every holiday alone. My brother and I don't call, write, nothing. She's the worst woman I've ever met in my life. No love, no protection, no nurturing, just drunken, ruthless abuse. I left over 20 years ago, mostly to protect my own daughter. The property was worth millions, but no amount is worth the abuse.
Load More Replies... Boo-Urns 1 year ago
People can leave their assets to whoever they wish. The children are not entitled to a penny from her.
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
I have no relationship with my mom because she is narcissistic, abusive, and just a horrible person. It makes me wonder if maybe this woman's kids aren't in her life for a reason. I am 100% certain my mom will leave me nothing in her will, and I'm perfectly happy about that. I don't want or need anything from her.
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
Sorry to hear about your situation, but they go both ways. There are plenty of reports of kids (and grandkids) exploiting their parents and grandparents terribly. Without being a party to this families activities there is no way to know whether she was horrible, the kids were horrible or they've all just grown apart over the decades.
Load More Replies...
R De Backer 1 year ago
I am about to do the exact same thing. Estate will go to an animal shelter instead of family.
Brindle Nutter 1 year ago
In the US and California in particular, with which i am familiar, pet trusts are created and the trustor/benefactor can leave 100% of their estate to the pet trust
Steve Hall 1 year ago
I don't believe any part of this story, not the fortune, not the pets, not the children.
Seb Benson 1 year ago
Good for her! Her money, her choice. I most certainly would not have used the word "pettiness" to describe her. Shame on you Andréa Oldereide and Karina Babenok for your choice of words!
WindySwede 1 year ago
Cats deserve good. But also what if the kids went NC because of they prioritising their mental health over money? Or the kids were a******s and the mom did the right thing? Or maybe I missed some part here? 🤷♂️
Load More Replies... The Starsong Princess 1 year ago
I suspect she has the relationship with her children that she earned.
Anony Mouse 1 year ago
Her money, her right, etc. But what a waste. Why not leave the pets with someone she trusted to love and care for them, and give them a generous stipend to do so. Then the rest of the money could have gone to animal rescues and charities.
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
One would assume that she doesn't have someone she loves and trusts or she would have done so. Leaving the money to the pets and in effect to the vet clinic does help other animals. One would also assume that she has at least some degree of familiarity with the vets and nurses at the clinic and believes they will care well for her pets and use the money responsibly. Why leave the money to complete strangers who may or may not use it well. This way her pets are looked after and the money hopefully helps other pets in the future.
Load More Replies... Guess Undheit 1 year ago
My "parents" were the sort of scum that if they _were_ worth millions, that if I hadn't cut ties 20+ years ago and they knew where I was, I would not have taken a dime from them no attended funeral. But I might pi$$ on their graves.
Violet Radar 1 year ago
Same. My "mother" is blind, 86, in assisted living, and spends every holiday alone. My brother and I don't call, write, nothing. She's the worst woman I've ever met in my life. No love, no protection, no nurturing, just drunken, ruthless abuse. I left over 20 years ago, mostly to protect my own daughter. The property was worth millions, but no amount is worth the abuse.
Load More Replies... Boo-Urns 1 year ago
People can leave their assets to whoever they wish. The children are not entitled to a penny from her.
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
I have no relationship with my mom because she is narcissistic, abusive, and just a horrible person. It makes me wonder if maybe this woman's kids aren't in her life for a reason. I am 100% certain my mom will leave me nothing in her will, and I'm perfectly happy about that. I don't want or need anything from her.
Ken Beattie 1 year ago
Sorry to hear about your situation, but they go both ways. There are plenty of reports of kids (and grandkids) exploiting their parents and grandparents terribly. Without being a party to this families activities there is no way to know whether she was horrible, the kids were horrible or they've all just grown apart over the decades.
Load More Replies... R De Backer 1 year ago
I am about to do the exact same thing. Estate will go to an animal shelter instead of family.
Brindle Nutter 1 year ago
In the US and California in particular, with which i am familiar, pet trusts are created and the trustor/benefactor can leave 100% of their estate to the pet trust
Steve Hall 1 year ago
I don't believe any part of this story, not the fortune, not the pets, not the children.
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