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Trust Litigation - A $5 Billion Dollar Trust for the Dogs?

Posted on | August 31, 2009 | No Comments

Leona Helmsley left an estate valued at about $5 billion with instructions stating that the money should, at least in part, be dedicated to the wellness of dogs. A few months ago, a judge ruled that the trustees could actually spend the money for other purposes – giving the green light for the trustees to spend over $100 million in grants on other causes. This angered animal protection organizations including the A.S.P.C.A. and the Humane Society. Those organizations have now joined together and filed suit in an attempt to reverse the judge’s ruling which they view as a “scheme to deprive dog welfare charities” of the money that they believe should be going to them. As the New York Times article points out, none of this affects Trouble, Helmsley’s dog that was gifted $12 million (later reduced to $2 million) out of her estate. Trouble enjoys a $100,000 per year security detail that helps to insulate him from the heated arguments in court over the fate of his brethren.

Category: Trust and Estate Litigation
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