Leona Helmsley Left Billions for Dogs; $12 Million for Trouble

Hotelier Leona Helmsley left behind an estate worth billions. According to the New York Times, her will set up a charitable trust that will receive the bulk of her estate, an estimated $5 billion to $8 billion. A separate document instructed that the trust be used for the care and welfare of dogs, although that document is not legally binding.

Helmsley also left $12 million in a pet trust for the care of her dog, Trouble, but a court has already slashed that amount down to $2 million, with the other $10 million going into the charitable trust.

If you'd like to provide for your companion animals in your will, check to see if your state allows pet trusts, and then speak to an attorney who is familiar with pet trusts. Whether or not your state allows pet trusts, you can leave your animals to a person or organization who you know will care for them.