You don’t have to be Leona Helmsley to want the best for your pet after you die. She’d left her dog Trouble $12 million when she passed away in 2007.
A judge cut the award to $2 million and awarded some of the money to her grandchildren, but the Maltese still lived a life of luxury until his death in December.
Today there are retirement homes for pets all across the country, and at least 45 states allow for pet trusts.
A pet trust is an agreement that specifies how an owner wants a pet to be cared for, including details on who will be responsible for the animal and how the care will be paid for.
A study from the late 1990s published found 1 percent of dogs and 1.5 percent of cats coming into 12 animal shelters had been surrendered because of owner death.
So, is it really worth it?
[Image via WENN.]