In a tale that might seem more fitting for a dramatic movie plot than real life, an elderly woman from Shanghai, China, has taken the drastic step of cutting her children out of her will, opting instead to leave her multi-million-dollar fortune to her beloved pets.

This decision, which has sparked conversations and debates about familial obligations and the bonds between humans and animals, came after her children failed to visit or care for her during a period of illness.

The woman, known by her last name Liu, had initially drafted a will several years ago, leaving her AUD 4.3 million fortune to her three children.

However, it was reported that Liu's children rarely contacted her and failed to visit or look after her when she was sick.

This lack of care and attention led Liu to make a drastic change to her will, leaving her fortune to her beloved cats and dogs instead.

The woman from China changed her will to leave her fortune to her pets instead of her family. Image: Freepik

In a move that further underscores her commitment to her pets, Liu has chosen a local vet to be the will administrator and look after her animals when she passes away.

This decision, while unusual, is not without its legal complications.

According to Chen Kai, an official from China’s Will Registration Centre headquarters, leaving an entire inheritance to animals is illegal in China.

'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,' he said.

Officials have informed Liu that she could change her mind at a later date, especially if her children change their attitude towards her.

In Australia, pets cannot be named as beneficiaries in wills as well. However, according to law firm Maurice Blackburn, people can set up pet trusts for their animals.

'The money in the trust can be used to pay for their care and day-to-day expenses in accordance with the wishes you leave,' the firm’s website explains.

While pet trusts might seem excessive to some, they provide peace of mind for pet owners who want to ensure their pets are cared for, even if they are no longer around to do so.

Key Takeaways

• An elderly woman in Shanghai has opted to leave her AUD $4.3 million fortune to her pets instead of her children due to their neglect when she was ill.
• She revised her will, initially intended for her three children, choosing a local vet as the will administrator to care for her animals after her passing.
• Leaving an inheritance entirely to animals is not permissible under Chinese law, with legal experts suggesting alternatives to ensure the pets' welfare.
• Though Australian law also does not allow pets to be direct beneficiaries in wills, individuals can create trusts to provide for their animals' care and expenses.

What are your thoughts on this, dear readers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

 

[Petra]

Good on her ♥

 

[Veggiepatch]

"The more people I meet....the more I love my dog".

A very apt fridge magnet I used to own. The majority of the human race are arsewipes anyway.

 

[Dreams]

In a tale that might seem more fitting for a dramatic movie plot than real life, an elderly woman from Shanghai, China, has taken the drastic step of cutting her children out of her will, opting instead to leave her multi-million-dollar fortune to her beloved pets.

This decision, which has sparked conversations and debates about familial obligations and the bonds between humans and animals, came after her children failed to visit or care for her during a period of illness.

The woman, known by her last name Liu, had initially drafted a will several years ago, leaving her AUD 4.3 million fortune to her three children.

However, it was reported that Liu's children rarely contacted her and failed to visit or look after her when she was sick.

This lack of care and attention led Liu to make a drastic change to her will, leaving her fortune to her beloved cats and dogs instead.

View attachment 40104

The woman from China changed her will to leave her fortune to her pets instead of her family. Image: Freepik

In a move that further underscores her commitment to her pets, Liu has chosen a local vet to be the will administrator and look after her animals when she passes away.

This decision, while unusual, is not without its legal complications.

According to Chen Kai, an official from China’s Will Registration Centre headquarters, leaving an entire inheritance to animals is illegal in China.

'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,' he said.

Officials have informed Liu that she could change her mind at a later date, especially if her children change their attitude towards her.

In Australia, pets cannot be named as beneficiaries in wills as well. However, according to law firm Maurice Blackburn, people can set up pet trusts for their animals.

'The money in the trust can be used to pay for their care and day-to-day expenses in accordance with the wishes you leave,' the firm’s website explains.

While pet trusts might seem excessive to some, they provide peace of mind for pet owners who want to ensure their pets are cared for, even if they are no longer around to do so.

Key Takeaways

• An elderly woman in Shanghai has opted to leave her AUD $4.3 million fortune to her pets instead of her children due to their neglect when she was ill.
• She revised her will, initially intended for her three children, choosing a local vet as the will administrator to care for her animals after her passing.
• Leaving an inheritance entirely to animals is not permissible under Chinese law, with legal experts suggesting alternatives to ensure the pets' welfare.
• Though Australian law also does not allow pets to be direct beneficiaries in wills, individuals can create trusts to provide for their animals' care and expenses.

What are your thoughts on this, dear readers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

It is her money and she has the right to leave it to whoever or whatever (regardless of what others even family expect or think) she wants.

 

[Knell]

She is certainly entitled to do whatever with her money however personally I hope I don't live long enough to become so spiteful, especially to my own children, regardless.

 

[ElizabethL]

Her money, her rules.

 

[Shane O'Neill]

In a tale that might seem more fitting for a dramatic movie plot than real life, an elderly woman from Shanghai, China, has taken the drastic step of cutting her children out of her will, opting instead to leave her multi-million-dollar fortune to her beloved pets.

This decision, which has sparked conversations and debates about familial obligations and the bonds between humans and animals, came after her children failed to visit or care for her during a period of illness.

The woman, known by her last name Liu, had initially drafted a will several years ago, leaving her AUD 4.3 million fortune to her three children.

However, it was reported that Liu's children rarely contacted her and failed to visit or look after her when she was sick.

This lack of care and attention led Liu to make a drastic change to her will, leaving her fortune to her beloved cats and dogs instead.

View attachment 40104

The woman from China changed her will to leave her fortune to her pets instead of her family. Image: Freepik

In a move that further underscores her commitment to her pets, Liu has chosen a local vet to be the will administrator and look after her animals when she passes away.

This decision, while unusual, is not without its legal complications.

According to Chen Kai, an official from China’s Will Registration Centre headquarters, leaving an entire inheritance to animals is illegal in China.

'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,' he said.

Officials have informed Liu that she could change her mind at a later date, especially if her children change their attitude towards her.

In Australia, pets cannot be named as beneficiaries in wills as well. However, according to law firm Maurice Blackburn, people can set up pet trusts for their animals.

'The money in the trust can be used to pay for their care and day-to-day expenses in accordance with the wishes you leave,' the firm’s website explains.

While pet trusts might seem excessive to some, they provide peace of mind for pet owners who want to ensure their pets are cared for, even if they are no longer around to do so.

Key Takeaways

• An elderly woman in Shanghai has opted to leave her AUD $4.3 million fortune to her pets instead of her children due to their neglect when she was ill.
• She revised her will, initially intended for her three children, choosing a local vet as the will administrator to care for her animals after her passing.
• Leaving an inheritance entirely to animals is not permissible under Chinese law, with legal experts suggesting alternatives to ensure the pets' welfare.
• Though Australian law also does not allow pets to be direct beneficiaries in wills, individuals can create trusts to provide for their animals' care and expenses.

What are your thoughts on this, dear readers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Her decision well done now watch the litigation start from the children $$$ sign's will be all they see

 

[mylittletibbies]

A person should be able to leave their money to whoever they wish without other people being able to contest it.
Why should anyone, especially children, think they have a right to inherit.
Except perhaps in a case I heard of once when I was working in a legal office, where an old fella left the home, money, everything to his son, leaving his wife skint without a roof over her head. This will was overturned 100%
by the court, as I feel it should be.
She had been his carer for over ten years and in all the years of their marriage he had only given her housekeeping money and he controlled everything. Lousy old buggar.
The son had no empathy for his mother and wanted to sell the family home, put her in this old run down unit he owned and let her live on the pension.
What a wonderful family!!!
I hope the poor old dear spent the rest of her life living it up and when she passed she left the lot to the lost dogs home.

 

[AlanQ]

I'm assuming the kids don't actually need her money. But now they'll be there daily. Any parent that wants their kids to 'visit' them once they are independent adults needs to be sure the kids actually want to see them. If the kids are visiting for selfish reasoning that's not a relationship you'd want to encourage.

 

[Joseph Gallina]

Put it in trust for her grandchildren, or other family members if she is so dis-gruntled with her immediate children.

You don't leave almost 4 million to a cat or a dog!!!!! You might put a few thousand in trust to look after them after your-'re gone instead, but that's ridiculous (if of course this whole story or parts of it are true)

Those who say 'it's her money her decision' etc etc, that's just a simplistic approach to a situation that does not make any sense at all.

Now of course if there were no other family members and instead, she left her will to go into trust for the upgrading or maintenance of an animal shelter, clinic or vet or the building of one then maybe that's different. Leaving your money to an animal well that's just irrational.

 

[AlanQ]

A person should be able to leave their money to whoever they wish without other people being able to contest it.
Why should anyone, especially children, think they have a right to inherit.
Except perhaps in a case I heard of once when I was working in a legal office, where an old fella left the home, money, everything to his son, leaving his wife skint without a roof over her head. This will was overturned 100%
by the court, as I feel it should be.
She had been his carer for over ten years and in all the years of their marriage he had only given her housekeeping money and he controlled everything. Lousy old buggar.
The son had no empathy for his mother and wanted to sell the family home, put her in this old run down unit he owned and let her live on the pension.
What a wonderful family!!!
I hope the poor old dear spent the rest of her life living it up and when she passed she left the lot to the lost dogs home.

Stupidly there is a large number of retirees that happily do just what you say this woman's son wanted to do just so the kids were left everything. Time & time again we hear of people with multiple 100s of 1000s in super and their only concern is how do I get the aged pension and leave everything in a will. This hearsay story wouldn't have been the most complicate legal challenge. Law in the various state protect spousal rights.

 

[Knell]

There should be a right to contest wills. Many cases of unscrupulous nurses and or carers taking advantage of elderly people who are not in their right minds influencing their decisions for their own gain. Sadly this does happen.

 

[June E]

I say good on her ! If her kids don’t want to know her why should they inherit when she dies.

 

[Skeeta22]

In a tale that might seem more fitting for a dramatic movie plot than real life, an elderly woman from Shanghai, China, has taken the drastic step of cutting her children out of her will, opting instead to leave her multi-million-dollar fortune to her beloved pets.

This decision, which has sparked conversations and debates about familial obligations and the bonds between humans and animals, came after her children failed to visit or care for her during a period of illness.

The woman, known by her last name Liu, had initially drafted a will several years ago, leaving her AUD 4.3 million fortune to her three children.

However, it was reported that Liu's children rarely contacted her and failed to visit or look after her when she was sick.

This lack of care and attention led Liu to make a drastic change to her will, leaving her fortune to her beloved cats and dogs instead.

View attachment 40104

The woman from China changed her will to leave her fortune to her pets instead of her family. Image: Freepik

In a move that further underscores her commitment to her pets, Liu has chosen a local vet to be the will administrator and look after her animals when she passes away.

This decision, while unusual, is not without its legal complications.

According to Chen Kai, an official from China’s Will Registration Centre headquarters, leaving an entire inheritance to animals is illegal in China.

'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,' he said.

Officials have informed Liu that she could change her mind at a later date, especially if her children change their attitude towards her.

In Australia, pets cannot be named as beneficiaries in wills as well. However, according to law firm Maurice Blackburn, people can set up pet trusts for their animals.

'The money in the trust can be used to pay for their care and day-to-day expenses in accordance with the wishes you leave,' the firm’s website explains.

While pet trusts might seem excessive to some, they provide peace of mind for pet owners who want to ensure their pets are cared for, even if they are no longer around to do so.

Key Takeaways

• An elderly woman in Shanghai has opted to leave her AUD $4.3 million fortune to her pets instead of her children due to their neglect when she was ill.
• She revised her will, initially intended for her three children, choosing a local vet as the will administrator to care for her animals after her passing.
• Leaving an inheritance entirely to animals is not permissible under Chinese law, with legal experts suggesting alternatives to ensure the pets' welfare.
• Though Australian law also does not allow pets to be direct beneficiaries in wills, individuals can create trusts to provide for their animals' care and expenses.

What are your thoughts on this, dear readers? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

Good for her! Just because people are related by blood doesn't give them the right to inherit. If family members choose to ignore parents in their latter years or due to illness, then they absolutely do not deserve to be mentioned in the Will. Parents are not a benevolent society, we willingly give so much to our children growing up, both emotionally and materially and to be ignored when they grow is beyond cruel to someone who loved and cared for them growing up. I have also made provision for my pets in my Will.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Stupidly there is a large number of retirees that happily do just what you say this woman's son wanted to do just so the kids were left everything. Time & time again we hear of people with multiple 100s of 1000s in super and their only concern is how do I get the aged pension and leave everything in a will. This hearsay story wouldn't have been the most complicate legal challenge. Law in the various state protect spousal rights.

As I said, it wasn't complicated and was overturned quite easily with the help of another relative who advocated for her.

 

[saundy]

Good on her I think it is great if the family don't care about her then they don't deserve to inherent her estate. I call it karma.

 

[mylittletibbies]

There should be a right to contest wills. Many cases of unscrupulous nurses and or carers taking advantage of elderly people who are not in their right minds influencing their decisions for their own gain. Sadly this does happen.

There is a right,but I have made my will, in a right state of mind, and hope that my wishes will be followed.
I worked in a nursing home once where so called loving children dumped their parents to never bother to come and see them again, but be the first one on the doorstep when mum or. dad passed away.
Not all carers or nurses are unscrupulous and many elderly make wills in nursing homes leaving money to them, while in their right mind, in appreciation of the care they have received and didn't receive from their children, who in turn, are off to the lawyers as soon as they can.
Yes people should be able to leave their money to whomever they choose under these circumstances without fear of their will bring contested and the inheritance being depleted by the court costs.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I can imagine this woman's hideous offspring standing around the hospital corridors, placing bets on what day she will croak it.

"Five thousand yuan on Wednesday!"

Money hungry creeps!

 

[Mrtnst]

In the past I would have said; 'If her children treat her badly, it is probably because o the way she brought them up.'

But increasingly it is the way teachers, empowered by socialists governments, that are raising the young and teaching them disrespect for their elders (and their country in Australia's case.)

However, leaving all her wealth to animals, when there are so many people struggling to survive... not a good choice.

 

[Knell]

There is a right,but I have made my will, in a right state of mind, and hope that my wishes will be followed.
I worked in a nursing home once where so called loving children dumped their parents to never bother to come and see them again, but be the first one on the doorstep when mum or. dad passed away.
Not all carers or nurses are unscrupulous and many elderly make wills in nursing homes leaving money to them, while in their right mind, in appreciation of the care they have received and didn't receive from their children, who in turn, are off to the lawyers as soon as they can.
Yes people should be able to leave their money to whomever they choose under these circumstances without fear of their will bring contested and the inheritance being depleted by the court costs.

Yes and they can however they need a lawyer to do it correctly. I know here, in order to prevent such a situation, you need to leave them something (eg. small amount or motor vehicle), then you can leave the bulk to whomever they choose.