Pet Care: Make a Trust in Case of Sickness ( or Death)

Taking care of your pet is our number one concern and I thought we've covered everything: fashion, accessories, travel, kennels, sitters, insurance, etc. But I came across something that I'm surprised I haven't heard of before: a trust for your pet.

These trusts guarantee that your pet will be taken care in the event that you may not be able to, such as vacation, incapacitation or (knock on wood) death. A trust can detail anything from who will be the day-to-day caretaker, to what measures you would want to take if your pet falls ill. Like wills, they can be amended at any time.

Check with your state for what guidelines there are. For example, Wisconsin law prohibits owners from leaving money directly to an animal, but they can be left to a trustee or caretaker.

But New York has no such limitation and New York real estate billionaire Leona Helmsley left $12 million to her white Maltese, Trouble. Yea, 12 MILLION.


How much would you leave your pet?

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HOUSEKEEPER TO SUE HELMSLEY DOG FOR...

Leona Helmsley's former housekeeper is preparing to sue Helmsley's dog, Trouble, for 6 million pounds for biting her. She had previously tried to sue for the bite incident Ms. Helmsley but was unsuccessful. She still wears a brace on her right hand due to the injury she suffered.
Obviously the fact that what sounds like to me a little hellion is making out with a better inheritance from her owner than ANYONE in the extended family has got some backs up. I've never known it to happen, but not only will Trouble be in lots of it, need a lawyer, but apparently also Helmsley's brother, who inherited Trouble, does not want her.

On another note, let me give Trouble a bit of advice... check into the Hilton on their pet friendly policy, pay $90 a stay and enjoy the free treats...

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It's All Gone To The Dogs....

Leona Helmsley, a well-known hotelier and real estate billionaire, died last month and has left her white Maltese a $12 million dollar trust fund to make sure that "continue to live an opulent life, and then be buried alongside her in a mausoleum." Now if I was one of her children or grandchildren, I'd being cursing the aptly named puppy, "Trouble," and wondering what it was that made her go to such great lengths.


"I direct that when my dog, Trouble, dies, her remains shall be buried next to my remains in the Helmsley mausoleum," Helmsley wrote in her will. Helmsley died earlier this month at her Connecticut home. She became known as a symbol of 1980s greed and earned the nickname "the Queen of Mean" after her 1988 indictment and subsequent conviction for tax evasion. One employee had quoted her as snarling, "Only the little people pay taxes."
I think that's hilarious! Unfortunately, I was only 8 years old at the time of her trial, but honestly?.... the Queen of Mean. This lady must have been a real piece of work!
I guess Trouble really cashed in... good for you little guy... good for you...
Hey, Trouble?... got a few thousand dollars you could spare ;)