9 Year Old Maltese Looses Millions In Inheritance Settlement

[Gypsy & Me]

Trouble, the beloved dog of Leona Helmsley, the late hotel billionaire, lost $10 million (£5 million) in an inheritance settlement but can still look forward to a life of luxury
Judge Renee Roth, of the Manhattan Surrogate Court, accepted a settlement between Mrs Helmsley's heirs and the New York State Attorney General's office which cut the nine-year-old Maltese's inheritance on the grounds that his owner was mentally unfit when she made her will.

The dog will now have to make do with $2 million, under the ruling which was made on April 30 and became public yesterday.

Mrs Helmsley, who died last August aged 87, had amassed a fortune in real estate and hotels with her husband, Harry Helmsley, who died in 1997.

She was known as "the Queen of Mean" because of the way she dealt with her employees. But she had a soft spot for Trouble - a clause in her will called for the dog to eventually be buried next to her in the Helmsley mausoleum.

Carl Lekic, the general manager of a Helmsley hotel in Florida and now Trouble's caretaker, said $2 million would be "enough money to pay for the dog's maintenance and welfare at the highest standards of care for more than 10 years," according to an affidavit.

Mr Lekic said the money would cover annual costs of $100,000 for full-time security, $8,000 for grooming and $1,200 for food. Mr Lekic will be paid a $60,000 annual guardian fee under the terms of the inheritance.

The settlement also awarded $6 million to Mrs Helmsley's two grandchildren, Craig Panzirer and Meegan Panzirer Wesolko, who had been cut out of her will "for reasons which are known to them," the document said.

Lawyers involved in the settlement did not comment yesterday.

[Morkie4]

Trouble, the beloved dog of Leona Helmsley, the late hotel billionaire, lost $10 million (£5 million) in an inheritance settlement but can still look forward to a life of luxury
Judge Renee Roth, of the Manhattan Surrogate Court, accepted a settlement between Mrs Helmsley's heirs and the New York State Attorney General's office which cut the nine-year-old Maltese's inheritance on the grounds that his owner was mentally unfit when she made her will.

The dog will now have to make do with $2 million, under the ruling which was made on April 30 and became public yesterday.

Mrs Helmsley, who died last August aged 87, had amassed a fortune in real estate and hotels with her husband, Harry Helmsley, who died in 1997.

She was known as "the Queen of Mean" because of the way she dealt with her employees. But she had a soft spot for Trouble - a clause in her will called for the dog to eventually be buried next to her in the Helmsley mausoleum.

Carl Lekic, the general manager of a Helmsley hotel in Florida and now Trouble's caretaker, said $2 million would be "enough money to pay for the dog's maintenance and welfare at the highest standards of care for more than 10 years," according to an affidavit.

Mr Lekic said the money would cover annual costs of $100,000 for full-time security, $8,000 for grooming and $1,200 for food. Mr Lekic will be paid a $60,000 annual guardian fee under the terms of the inheritance.

The settlement also awarded $6 million to Mrs Helmsley's two grandchildren, Craig Panzirer and Meegan Panzirer Wesolko, who had been cut out of her will "for reasons which are known to them," the document said.

Lawyers involved in the settlement did not comment yesterday.

I think "Trouble" deserved the inheritance since he had to put up with the "LADY" for so many years and she obviously gave her money to care for Trouble for putting up with her. I smell appeal in the air!!!!:wink5:

Sure makes you want to get a will in order BEFORE you go loonie!:lol2::lol2:

[MaxJack'sMom]

I agree. If the grandchildren knew why they had been cut out of the will, why do they get all that money? It wasn't theirs to begin with, why bother having a will when the courts decide to change it? JMO:D

[Morkie4]

I agree. If the grandchildren knew why they had been cut out of the will, why do they get all that money? It wasn't theirs to begin with, why bother having a will when the courts decide to change it? JMO:D

At least the "will" kept the government from getting it..........better Trouble than her grandkids(if their was a good reason), Better her grandchildren than the government.

I strongly feel that what you want done with your money, belongings, body, etc should be set out in a will and your executor should follow it regardless of how they personal feel!

[jdy]

I dont give a Flying HOOT that money should have been left for Trouble. I say this because a WILL is a WILL! Who knows the reason why the grandkids were cut off. Im sure there is a very good reason. I noticed maltese lovers are always right :tounge:

[puppies2nv]

wow Trouble should have been able to keep all his money!!!

[bek74]

I agree about the Grandkids but seriously, why would you leave 12 million to a dog??, see that is stupid. If she didn't want to leave the money to her grandkids then she should have organized a package for trouble and given the rest to charity.
Now her greedy grandkids benefit from it. Why do people make stupid wills? Of course she wants her beloved doggy cared for and 2 million is plenty of money ( gosh I could raise my family and there families on that money), I mean if trouble did get the lot, then who would have gotten the money once he passed???.

[Morkie4]

I agree about the Grandkids but seriously, why would you leave 12 million to a dog??, see that is stupid. If she didn't want to leave the money to her grandkids then she should have organized a package for trouble and given the rest to charity.
Now her greedy grandkids benefit from it. Why do people make stupid wills? Of course she wants her beloved doggy cared for and 2 million is plenty of money ( gosh I could raise my family and there families on that money), I mean if trouble did get the lot, then who would have gotten the money once he passed???.

Most likely any monies left over when Trouble passed would have gone through the court system and the human family would have received any leftovers. I would have stipulated any left overs after Trouble passed would go to charity............if I really did not want my family to get the money. Of course the dog lives high on the hog, as they say. Having a driver, maid, chef, groomer, etc. ............... that can sure add up!!!

[jdy]

i agree with you carol, but i dont think this lady was a fair person if she really wanted to help the cause. she should have donated to a maltese rescue or something.
anyways 12million is chump change to this women so i guess to give a dog 12million is just nothing to her. i still feel bad for trouble. what if he doesnt get love or the attendtion from are caretaker.