Cruella de Trust: The Heiress, Her Dog, and a What a Pet Trust Could do for you

You may have heard the name Leona Helmsley before, an influential business woman who was labeled  “The Queen of Mean” for the duration of her life, but what you might not know is that her beloved dog, Trouble, became one of the wealthiest pets in history. In 2007, Helmsley made headlines by leaving a paw-dropping $12 million to Trouble in her will via a pet trust. That’s right, her dog inherited more than most humans ever will. Luckily a judge kept the leash on crazy and only allowed her to leave $2 million to her pooch, making this dog still richer than most humans.

Helmsley was known for her lavish lifestyle, harsh business tactics, and headline-making scandals (including a conviction for federal income tax evasion), but her love for Trouble was unwavering. She even arranged for Trouble to "own" a piece of real estate royalty: the iconic Helmsley Building at 230 Park Avenue in Manhattan. 

Fast-forward to today: Trouble has recently passed in luxury at age 12 right here in our own backyard in Sarasota, Florida and the Helmsley Building is now facing partial demolition and redevelopment, marking the end of an era. But the legacy of Leona, Trouble, and their over-the-top estate plan lives on as a bizarre (yet oddly inspiring) chapter in estate planning history.

At ACEMaven Legal, we love pets-and we love helping their humans plan wisely. While we don’t recommend leaving your entire estate to your Maltese or engaging in any creative accounting to avoid taxes (seriously, don’t), we do believe pet trusts are a powerful tool for responsible pet owners.

A pet trust allows you to:

• Designate a caregiver for your pet

• Set aside funds for food, vet care, grooming, and more

• Appoint a trustee to manage the money

• Ensure your pet’s care continues exactly as you wish—even if you can’t be there

  
  

Whether you’ve got a Trouble or a tabby, a pet trust can offer peace of mind and protection for the animals who bring so much joy to your life. Reach out to us at ACEMaven Legal. We’ll help you plan thoughtfully-for both your two- and four-legged loved ones.