Mrs Helmsley, the widow of Harry B. Helmsley, was best known for her sharp tongue and impatience with humanity. For many Americans, she became a symbol of unbridled arrogance, particularly after she was convicted of a tax evasion in the amount of $1.2 million. In 1989 she was convicted and sent to prison. In August 2007, Leona Helmsley passed away leaving her instructions in a two-page "mission statement" that her Maltese, Trouble, would be given virtually all of her estate and be used for the care and welfare of dogs. Another provision in the statment says that the trustees may use their discretion in distributing the money. The statement is an expression of her wishes that is not necessarily legally binding. Still, laws favor adherence to a donor's intent, and the mission statement is the only clear expression of Mrs Helmsley's intentions., which will make the document difficult for her trustees as well as the probate court and state charity regulators to ignore.
My opinion in thsi matter is that yes, it's kind of crazy to leave your estate to the welfare of yours and other dogs, but if that's what she wanted to do with it, that's what should be done. On the other hand, if I was one of the trustee's I would be pretty upset and try to fight it, but I'm not so good for her. Animals need our help too.
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3 comments:
Nice job Becky. I have to side with Leona, I am a huge animal lover and sometimes my animals treat me better than my family.
Good summary. Leona was an "interesting" person to say the least.
Becky, I agree with you, if Mrs. Helmsley wanted to leave all that money for her dog. fine. But, I just hope her family got a little of something. I would be really peeved off if I didn't.
Lisa
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