Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Two cats will be living the high life after their owner left them a 4,270-square-foot house in a gated community and $250,000 to be used for their care and maintaining the home.

Leon Sheppard, Sr. was president of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1529 before he retired. He passed away at the age of 79.


"If their owner sees fit, they can create a trust for the welfare and benefit of the cats and their care," said attorney Randy Fishman.

Although the situation with Frisco and Jake is not very common, Fishman pointed out that New York hotel heiress Leona Helmsley left $12 million for the care of Trouble, her dog.

Sheppard's family declined to talk about Frisco and Jake, or their inheritance, but neighbors said he loved his cats.

According to Fishman, Sheppard's will is all legal. That doesn’t mean it’s normal.

"I don't know [if] I've ever come across one," said Fishman.

The will specifies that when Frisco dies, what’s left of the estate passes to Sheppard's human heirs. The heirs are allowed to move Jake out of the house but they must continue to care for him.

[WMC TV]