Trustees Don’t Think Helmsley Intended Trust Focus to Be Dogs

I previously reported on the lawsuit to intervene in the administration of the estate of Leona Helmsley. Additional details are below:

• Helmsley established a trust worth around $5 billion that was to be distributed for good cause, showing preference for the care of dogs.
• A judge ruled that the trustees of the trust are free to give money to charitable causes they see fit.
• The Trustees have indicated that they do not believe Helmsley intended for the trust to focus on helping dogs rather than people.

See The Economist, The dog will have his day in court, Aug. 13, 2009.

Special thanks to Adam J. Hirsch (William and Catherine VanDercreek Professor of Law, Florida State University College of Law) for bringing this development to my attention.