He Should Have Been a Retriever: Leona Helmsley’s Dog Trouble Loses $10 Million of its $12 Million Inheritance

Leona Helmsley’s dog Trouble must be aghast. He is now only marginally a multimillionaire after Manhattan Surrogate Judge Renee Roth reduced his inheritance from the “Queen of Mean” to $2 million. The other $10 million will go to charity and, most notably, the two grandchildren that she wanted to disinherit.

Helmsley shocked many when she disinherited some grandchildren while leaving millions to her
now 9-year-old Maltese who lives in Florida with Carl Lekic, the general manager of the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel.

Trouble’s as expensive as a french poodle with an annual cost at $190,000, including Lekic’s $60,000 guardian fee, $100,000 for security, $8,000 for grooming, $3,000 for miscellaneous expenses, $1,200 for food and 2,500 to $18,000 for medical care.

Ok, I will not ask about how much it takes for Lekic to watch over Trouble, even though $60,000 seems a bit high for periodic games of catch. However, $18,000 for medical care and $8000 for grooming. I can get buy with less than $200 a year, including tips. Now, I admit that they do not do the whole body and I may not be quite a looker for the Maltese set, but $8000?

Nevertheless, it was her money to spend, which brings us to the two grandchildren. I am not sure how Judge Roth has the authority to start bestowing money on charities and individuals, particularly two disinherited kids. As far as I can recall, Roth was not named in the will. I always find probate court a bit free with dead people’s money. If these individuals were truly disinherited, it seems a bit odd for a judge to determine that it was a mistake.

After all, Trouble can fetch (between grooming sessions, of course).

For the full story, click here.