An elderly woman in Shanghai has made waves by deciding to leave her $2.8 million fortune not to her children but to her pets. Ms. Liu, feeling neglected by her three children who allegedly failed to visit her during her illness, rewrote her will to ensure her cats and dogs would be well cared for after her passing. Her initial plan was to leave her wealth to her children, but their absence during her difficult times led her to a dramatic change of heart.
Instead of passing on her estate to her offspring, Ms. Liu’s will now designates her pets as the primary beneficiaries. However, Chinese law does not allow animals to be direct recipients of inheritance. To navigate this, Ms. Liu arranged for a local veterinary clinic to manage her estate and look after her beloved pets. This unusual move has sparked significant attention and left her children outraged.
The case has prompted officials at China’s Will Registration Centre to explore legal alternatives. Chen Kai, an official, suggested that appointing a trusted individual to oversee the vet clinic could ensure the animals are properly cared for and the inheritance is managed as intended.
Ms. Liu’s decision highlights not only her deep bond with her pets but also her discontent with her children’s behavior. It also raises broader questions about inheritance laws and the responsibilities of pet owners towards their animals’ futures.
