For one elderly woman, disappointment in her children turned into the ultimate act of retribution: she decided to leave her entire fortune not to her family, but to her furry companions. Ms. Liu, a wealthy woman from Shanghai, was so heartbroken over her children’s neglect that she altered her will, redirecting her wealth to her beloved cats and dogs instead.
The old woman made a last-minute change to her will. Credit: Fancy/Veer/Corbis/Getty Images
The Growing Rift Between Ms. Liu and Her Children
As the years passed and her children moved on with their lives, Ms. Liu noticed a widening distance. While it’s natural for children to grow up and start families of their own, many still keep a close bond with their parents, checking in, visiting, and helping them through old age. Unfortunately, Ms. Liu’s children seemed to show little interest in her well-being.
Reports suggest her children rarely called, let alone visited her, leaving her to face her senior years alone. Instead of family, her only comfort came from her loyal pets, who became her steadfast companions and source of joy.
A Fortune Reallocated: Ms. Liu’s Final Decision
Disappointed and hurt by her children’s absence, Ms. Liu decided to take a bold step to ensure that her legacy would benefit those who brought her comfort in her old age—her pets. Previously, her will had divided her wealth among her three children, but her feelings changed after years of being ignored. She amended her will, removing her children as beneficiaries and deciding that her pets would inherit her wealth.
The inheritance, totaling around 20 million yuan (or $2.8 million), would be earmarked solely for the care of her animals. This fund, according to her new will, is intended not only to support her current pets but also any future offspring they might have.
Legal Hurdles and How Ms. Liu Overcame Them
However, Ms. Liu encountered an obstacle in Chinese law. Unlike some Western countries, China does not recognize pets as direct beneficiaries of an inheritance. This meant she couldn’t simply leave her wealth to her animals outright. Determined to proceed with her plan, she sought an alternative solution.
Ms. Liu chose to appoint a local veterinary clinic as the official custodian of her fortune. This clinic would be tasked with overseeing the care of her pets, ensuring they received the attention and resources they needed after her passing. An official from the Will Registration Centre in Beijing confirmed her arrangement, noting, “This method ensures her pets are taken care of, even if they cannot legally inherit the money themselves.”
Her pets will become millionaires upon her death. Credit: John Lund/Getty Images
Safeguards to Protect Her Legacy
Ms. Liu’s decision to appoint the veterinary clinic came with some warnings from legal advisors. They cautioned her about potential risks in placing the entirety of her fortune with one clinic. To protect her interests, Ms. Liu was advised to appoint a trusted individual to supervise the clinic’s actions, ensuring that the funds were used solely for her pets’ care, rather than any unrelated purposes.
Furthermore, Ms. Liu was informed that her will could be amended if her children ever reconciled with her. “We told Auntie Liu that if her children change their attitude, she could always alter her will again,” explained Chen Kai, an official who handled her case.
A Possible Path to Reconciliation
Ms. Liu’s drastic decision highlights the deep emotional toll that family neglect can take. Though her actions have sent a clear message, there remains a glimmer of hope for her children. With her will still open to modification, Ms. Liu’s children have the chance to mend their relationship with her. It’s a rare opportunity, given that most estate decisions are final after the passing of a loved one. However, for now, her $2.8 million fortune remains allocated to the animals that filled the void left by her absent family.
Not the First Pet Millionaires in History
Ms. Liu’s choice may seem unusual, but it’s not without precedent. Across the globe, there have been numerous cases of wealthy individuals leaving their fortunes to their beloved pets. In 2020, a businessman from Tennessee made headlines when he left a staggering $5 million inheritance to his border collie, Lulu. Similarly, several celebrities and business magnates have made similar arrangements, securing a comfortable life for their pets after their passing.
These decisions often stem from deep connections between pet owners and their animals. Pets are often seen as loyal companions who provide unconditional love, making them the ideal beneficiaries in the eyes of those who feel isolated or abandoned.
The Legal Complexities of Pet Inheritances
Leaving an inheritance to pets is a complex process, often requiring creative legal arrangements. In the U.S., it’s common for pet owners to set up trusts specifically for their animals, managed by a trustee who distributes funds for the pet’s care. However, in many countries, pets are still considered property, making it impossible for them to inherit directly.
In Ms. Liu’s case, establishing a veterinary clinic as the manager of her estate allowed her to work within the confines of Chinese law while still ensuring her pets would be taken care of. Her decision underscores the lengths some people will go to ensure that their loved ones—even the four-legged ones—are cared for after they’re gone.
A Final Message of Heartache and Love
Ms. Liu’s story is not just about wealth or legal arrangements; it’s a reflection of the emotional bonds and deep disappointments that can shape family relationships. Her decision to leave her fortune to her pets speaks volumes about the importance of compassion, companionship, and appreciation. For Ms. Liu, her pets represented the love and loyalty that her children failed to provide, leading her to ensure their continued care and happiness.
While her children may still have a chance to reconcile, the lesson remains clear: relationships, especially within families, should never be taken for granted. Ms. Liu’s $2.8 million inheritance to her pets stands as a powerful reminder of the impact of neglect and the unexpected ways people can choose to express both love and loss.
Conclusion: A Wealth of Lessons in Family and Loyalty
In the end, Ms. Liu’s story is a poignant reminder of the value of love, loyalty, and companionship. Her actions reflect a deeply personal journey shaped by neglect, loneliness, and the unconditional love she found in her pets. While her decision may appear drastic to some, it’s a testament to the unique ways people cope with heartache and express gratitude to those who remain loyal.
For her children, Ms. Liu’s story serves as a final, unmistakable message: family bonds must be nurtured with care, empathy, and presence.
