Woman Leaves $2.8 Million Fortune to Her Pets to Spite Her Children for ‘Never Visiting’

A Million-Dollar Decision Born Out of Frustration and Loyalty

In a turn of events that sounds more like the plot of a movie than real life, an elderly woman in Shanghai has rewritten her will to leave her entire fortune—amounting to a staggering $2.8 million—to her beloved pets. Ms. Liu, who spent her later years in the company of her cats and dogs, has reportedly excluded her three children from her estate entirely.

And the reason? Her children’s alleged neglect, leaving her feeling abandoned and turning her affection toward her furry companions instead.

This unusual move has left her children stunned and spurred debate online. Could pets really be seen as heirs, or is this a sharp lesson in the importance of family connection?

Once Destined for Her Children, Now Reserved for Her Pets

Ms. Liu’s initial will had her assets allocated to her three children, with plans to leave them her entire fortune. However, as time went by and her health declined, Ms. Liu began to feel increasingly isolated. Her children, she claims, hardly visited, even during her bouts of illness. Instead, it was her pets who remained faithfully by her side, filling the emotional void left by her absent family.

As her feelings of neglect grew, so did her attachment to her pets.

And soon enough, Ms. Liu made a drastic decision: she revised her will, naming her cats and dogs as the beneficiaries of her estate—a decision that shocked her children, who suddenly found themselves cut out of the family fortune.

A Hefty Fortune Set to Give These Pets a Life of Luxury

With 20 million yuan (approximately $2.8 million) now destined for her pets, Ms. Liu didn’t just leave her cats and dogs a few morsels. Instead, she ensured a lavish future for them, far beyond what they could ever need in their lifetimes.

From luxurious pet food to high-quality veterinary care, her pets are now set to live out their days in comfort—thanks to Ms. Liu’s unique decision.

This inheritance might seem outrageous to some, but for Ms. Liu, it was a gesture of gratitude. Her pets had been her constant companions when her children were not, and in her eyes, they had earned every penny of her fortune.

A Legal Hurdle: Pets Can’t Inherit Money in China

However, there’s one significant snag: in China, pets cannot legally inherit property or money. Recognizing this, Ms. Liu appointed a local veterinary clinic as the administrator of the inheritance. The clinic would manage the funds, ensuring her pets are well taken care of should she pass away. Despite this arrangement, legal questions remain, and authorities are now looking for alternative solutions.

Chen Kai, an official from China’s Will Registration Centre in Beijing, explained, “Liu’s current will is one way, and we would have advised her to appoint a person she trusts to supervise the vet clinic to ensure the pets are properly cared for.” The officials are now exploring ways to honor her wishes within the constraints of Chinese law.

Family Reactions: Shock, Outrage, and Lingering Questions

Predictably, Ms. Liu’s children have expressed outrage and disbelief at their mother’s decision.

Not only have they been written out of the will, but the beneficiaries are animals, whom they believe couldn’t possibly appreciate such a fortune. “It’s like we’ve been replaced,” one of her children reportedly remarked, unable to understand why their mother would choose pets over her own family.

This dramatic snub has sparked a debate, with some people sympathizing with Ms. Liu and others criticizing her choice. Online reactions have been a mix of admiration for her loyalty to her pets and disbelief at her decision to cut off her children so completely.

Online Reaction: A Reminder of Changing Family Values

As news of Ms. Liu’s decision spread online, reactions ranged from amused support to harsh criticism. “Pets are more loyal than people—if they made her happy, why not leave them everything?” one user commented, reflecting a sense of understanding for her unconventional decision. Others, however, viewed it as a cautionary tale.

“This should be a wake-up call for anyone neglecting their elderly family members,” one user remarked, suggesting Ms. Liu’s story is a reminder of the importance of staying connected with family.

The Lesson Behind Ms. Liu’s Decision: A Call for Empathy?

Ms. Liu’s choice to leave her wealth to her pets might seem extreme, but it’s a powerful example of how deep emotional wounds can run. Whether you see her as justified or bitter, her story raises questions about the role of family, loyalty, and the relationships we form later in life.

What do you think? Does Ms. Liu’s decision make sense, or should family always come first? Share your thoughts below, and join the conversation!