NEW YORK - Leona Helmsley's decision to leave $12 million to her dog so it could live out its life in luxury proved once and for all that she was not one of the little people.
But legal experts say that, size aside, Helmsley's gift to her beloved pet - a Maltese named Trouble - wasn't unique.
A growing number of people, not all wealthy, have been setting up trust funds or adjusting their wills to ensure that their pets are well cared for if they die, according to attorneys and animal welfare groups.
States have rushed to make such gifts easier. At the close of the 1990s, only a handful recognized so-called "pet trusts." Now, 39 states plus Washington, D.C., have enacted laws dealing with such gifts. Full Story - Dog & Kennel Magazine - Jade Cigarettes - PetCareRx
But legal experts say that, size aside, Helmsley's gift to her beloved pet - a Maltese named Trouble - wasn't unique.
A growing number of people, not all wealthy, have been setting up trust funds or adjusting their wills to ensure that their pets are well cared for if they die, according to attorneys and animal welfare groups.
States have rushed to make such gifts easier. At the close of the 1990s, only a handful recognized so-called "pet trusts." Now, 39 states plus Washington, D.C., have enacted laws dealing with such gifts. Full Story - Dog & Kennel Magazine - Jade Cigarettes - PetCareRx
