Billionaire Hermes plans to adopt a gardener in order to receive an inheritance.

The overachieving relative of one of Europe's wealthiest families apparently got the idea to adopt his middle-aged gardener, intending to leave him at least half of his fortune, estimated at about 12 billion euros ($13 billion). Nicolas Puche, the 80-year-old descendant of the founder of French luxury goods company Hermes, intends to cancel a contract that would have transferred his fortune to the Isocrates Foundation, which he founded, and make his employee his legal heir. The Swiss newspapers Tribune de Geneve and 24 heures reported this earlier this month.

The charity is questioning Püsch's desire to end the partnership, as the foundation learned only recently. "From a legal perspective, the unilateral termination of the inheritance agreement seems invalid and unreasonable," the organization said in a statement to CNN. "The foundation therefore opposed the cancelation of the contract, while leaving the door open for negotiations with the founder." The publication notes that the foundation is "not in a position to judge or comment (on this initiative)," adding that it "leaves it to the competent authorities to decide on the matter." CNN has reached out to the billionaire's lawyer for comment.

Founded by Püsch in 2011 and funded by him since then, the Isocrates Foundation supports public policy journalism and civil society organizations that work to create a "healthy digital public environment," according to its website.

The inheritance agreement between the foundation and Puesch, who apparently has no children, provides for the transfer of his shares in Hermes to the foundation. However, if he has a child, the latter will be entitled to a portion of the inheritance, and if a son is born, at least 50%.

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