Leona Helmsley, the New York hotelier and real estate billionaire has left $12m (£5.97m) to her pet dog, Trouble.
It’s the largest legacy in the will which also states that the dog is to be buried next to the lady, when the dog finally passes on.
She left her chauffeur $100,000, and $3m for the upkeep of her and her husband’s final resting place.
Apparently dubbed the “Queen of Mean” by the US media, she was known for her tough approach to business, which included managing the Empire State building.
Her son had died before her. She left two grandchildren out of the will completely for ‘reasons known to them’. Her other two grandchildren received $5 million each, on the condition that they visit their father’s grave once a year.
This is a strange clause because if they have received the money now, how is anyone going to maintain proof that they carry out their task (money to prove this doesn’t appear to be a problem!) and if they don’t visit the grave one year, then how is anyone going to get the money back if they’ve spent it. That’s why LSUK are against clauses that are most difficult and cumbersome to maintain. This only causes grief and dare we say it, trouble.
LSUK have found that they are often asked to insert ‘awkward’ clauses into wills; but as long as it’s legal, the client is always right.
Trouble would appear to have no money worries as Mrs Helmley’s brother Alvin Rosenthal (who himself inherited $10m), is in charge of Trouble’s money.
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