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.

 

[mylittletibbies]

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.

There are plenty of charities that could do with that sort of money and still keep her pets in luxury for the rest of their lives.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I, Veggiepatch, bequeath my remaining $8.05 to my pet for the last week....a damn housefly".

 

[mOiOz]

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.

She's not the first and won't be the last...!!!

 

[mylittletibbies]

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.

Apparently not,my lawyer recently told me although that is well believed it is untrue. People can still contest.
I have this problem with two sons, one a quiet achiever, the other with a drug addiction.
I have spent a fortune on my eldest son, to no avail.
I would like, through my will, to then help my youngest son along in his life, which he deserves.
I do not wish to leave a large sum of money to my eldest son as it will only go up his arm and probably kill him.
My youngest son will take over responsibility of his sister when I pass as she has a disability. I have already made adequate financial arrangements for her .
All this has been clearly set out in my will and yet my lawyer tells me my eldest son can still contest (I have left him $20,000) on the grounds of hardship.
Go figure!!
I am not trying to punish my eldest son for his drug addiction, but I have spent over $100,000 on rehab for him over the years and feel that I should be allowed to leave the rest of my estate to his brother without fear of my will being contested.

 

[Knell]

Apparently not,my lawyer recently told me although that is well believed it is untrue. People can still contest.
I have this problem with two sons, one a quiet achiever, the other with a drug addiction.
I have spent a fortune on my eldest son, to no avail.
I would like, through my will, to then help my youngest son along in his life, which he deserves.
I do not wish to leave a large sum of money to my eldest son as it will only go up his arm and probably kill him.
My youngest son will take over responsibility of his sister when I pass as she has a disability. I have already made adequate financial arrangements for her .
All this has been clearly set out in my will and yet my lawyer tells me my eldest son can still contest (I have left him $20,000) on the grounds of hardship.
Go figure!!
I am not trying to punish my eldest son for his drug addiction, but I have spent over $100,000 on rehab for him over the years and feel that I should be allowed to leave the rest of my estate to his brother without fear of my will being contested.

Yes, but it will make it much harder for him to be successful if he does contest - you have done all you can to ensure your wishes are upheld.

 

[Littleboy8]

Yes, but it will make it much harder for him to be successful if he does contest - you have done all you can to ensure your wishes are upheld.

No kids no money just a he’ll get all my debts

 

[Clancieblue]

I have witnessed, adult children, standing over the top of their dying mother's bed, arguing about their inheritance. People in their 60's themselves.
Money makes people do very strange things, especially greedy ones.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

I all went pearshaped when the children (all good, loyal Communists) said "Eat the Rich!"

 

[Fair go mate]

Almost all of the comments above are likely misguided . Her children are who their mother raised them to be . If she loved them equally they would have returned that love. She should have shared her wealth equally. If the children were not perfect in hers or others eyes . I suspect she failed them ! There is often a black sheep in a family who needs more direction than others. Some have medical conditions .Some are not as intelligent as others. They are still her children. Why didn't she share her wealth with them while she was alive? What about the poor cats and dogs that died for whatever reason during her lifetime and missed out.

Many questions are unanswered as perhaps the answers could ruin a good story. Never let the facts ruin a good yarn.

 

[mylittletibbies]

Almost all of the comments above are likely misguided . Her children are who their mother raised them to be . If she loved them equally they would have returned that love. She should have shared her wealth equally. If the children were not perfect in hers or others eyes . I suspect she failed them ! There is often a black sheep in a family who needs more direction than others. Some have medical conditions .Some are not as intelligent as others. They are still her children. Why didn't she share her wealth with them while she was alive? What about the poor cats and dogs that died for whatever reason during her lifetime and missed out.

Many questions are unanswered as perhaps the answers could ruin a good story. Never let the facts ruin a good yarn.

I think that's a very simplistic view. Life and families are a lot more complicated than that.

 

[Loubeauxarts]

Reading this made me wonder how you can be a millionaire in a Communist country. Good old Dr Google to the rescue. There are actually over 6,000,000 millionaires in PRC. China is second only to the US in its number of filthy rich.

 

[Knell]

Almost all of the comments above are likely misguided . Her children are who their mother raised them to be . If she loved them equally they would have returned that love. She should have shared her wealth equally. If the children were not perfect in hers or others eyes . I suspect she failed them ! There is often a black sheep in a family who needs more direction than others. Some have medical conditions .Some are not as intelligent as others. They are still her children. Why didn't she share her wealth with them while she was alive? What about the poor cats and dogs that died for whatever reason during her lifetime and missed out.

Many questions are unanswered as perhaps the answers could ruin a good story. Never let the facts ruin a good yarn.

True that! She could have just been a gold digger in the first place - who knows!

 

[Littleboy8]

No kids no money just a he’ll get all my debts

Oh and all the furniture he’s torn to shreds with his claws.Little monster

 

[Knell]

Oh and all the furniture he’s torn to shreds with his claws.Little monster

Yes! Bad pussy! Destroyed more than one lounge suite in his lifetime.

 

[Knell]

Yes! Bad pussy! Destroyed more than one lounge suite in his lifetime.

Dogs stink, cats are destructive = I don't know why I even like them! lol

 

[Loubeauxarts]

I have witnessed, adult children, standing over the top of their dying mother's bed, arguing about their inheritance. People in their 60's themselves.
Money makes people do very strange things, especially greedy ones.

That is so sad. My parents both died at a relatively young age and had nothing left to leave to anyone except, that is, gratitude and respect for everything they had sacrificed in raising us. All we felt was love and loss and an overwhelming sense of grief over having not been given more time with them.

 

[Littleboy8]

Dogs stink, cats are destructive = I don't know why I even like them! lol

it must be love,love,love, nothing more, nothing less love is the best.I think that’s from a stinky baby nappy ad.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I all went pearshaped when the children (all good, loyal Communists) said "Eat the Rich!"

Love the music reference! How about The Dead Kennedys' "Kill The Poor"!

 

[Veggiepatch]

Dogs stink, cats are destructive = I don't know why I even like them! lol

I love them, especially pussies....

 

[Veggiepatch]

Hhhhhmyes

Combine a doggie with a pussy and you've got me thinking! And not the cartoon Catdog either...