Hermès Heir Plans to Adopt Former Gardener, Sparking Charity Dispute

Nicolas Puech's decision to bequeath half his fortune to his former employee leads to legal complaint and opposition from the Isocrates Foundation he founded.

• Nicolas Puech, a billionaire heir of the Hermès luxury goods empire, is reportedly planning to adopt his former gardener and bequeath him at least half of his £10 billion fortune.
• The move has sparked a public row with the Isocrates Foundation, a charity Puech founded, which stands to have its funding cut as a result.
• A source close to Puech has filed a legal complaint to the Swiss child and adult protection agency against the gardener and his wife, alleging they held disproportionate sway over Puech for personal gain.
• The Isocrates Foundation has formally opposed Puech's decision to change his testamentary arrangements, stating that the abrupt and unilateral annulment of a succession agreement appears void and unfounded.
• The adoption plan is likely to face significant legal challenges, as adult adoption is not a typical occurrence in Switzerland and requires the adopting party to have shared a relationship with the adoptee for at least some part of their childhood years.

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