A Chinese woman, known only by her surname Liu, has bequeathed her entire $2.8 million fortune to her pets. In an unprecedented move that stirred considerable public debate, this decision has left her three children with nothing, igniting discussions about familial duty and pet care in old age.
Ms. Liu, whose decision was later revealed, initially included her children in her will, which was drafted several years prior. However, she has recently amended her will to exclude them entirely, directing her substantial assets solely to caring for her cats and dogs.
The drastic change in her will is reportedly a result of Ms. Liu’s feelings of neglect from her children, particularly during her period of illness.
She claims that her children rarely contacted her and provided minimal support, which deeply affected her decision to remove them from her will.
In contrast, Ms. Liu found solace and companionship in her pets, which she felt deserved to be prioritized in her final testament.
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The amendment will stipulate that all of Ms. Liu’s assets are to be used for caring for her current pets and any future offspring they may have.
A local veterinary clinic has been appointed as the administrator of the inheritance, entrusted with ensuring the animals’ well-being and managing the funds allocated for their care.
This unusual bequest has received mixed reactions from the public. According to Chen Kai, an official from the Will Registration Centre in Beijing, Ms. Liu intended to leave all her money directly to her pets, but Chinese law does not permit this, as reported by The South China Morning Post.
“However, there are alternatives to solve this issue,” Chen said.
“Liu’s current will is one way, and we would have advised her to appoint a person she trusts to supervise the vet clinic to ensure the pets are properly cared for,” he added.
Another official from the eastern China branch of the China Will Registration Centre said they had alerted Liu to the risks of putting all her money in the hands of the pet clinic before she made her final will.
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“We told Auntie Liu that if her children change their attitude towards her, she could always alter her will again,” the official said.
Liu’s story sparked a lively online discussion about inheritance and families.
“How disappointed and heartbroken she must have been to make the decision not to leave anything to her children,” said one online observer.
“Well done. If my daughter treats me poorly in the future, I will also leave my house to others,” another said.
As the story continues to circulate, it raises important questions about the dynamics of familial relationships, the role of pets in providing emotional support, and the legalities of wills and inheritance.
Ms. Liu’s decision shows the evolving nature of family structures and the increasing recognition of pets as integral parts of individuals’ lives.
This case highlights the importance of addressing emotional and familial needs before making drastic decisions, emphasizing the need for empathy and communication to maintain family bonds.
