People have long used their wills as a final statement—sometimes of love, sometimes of revenge, and often filled with unexpected surprises. From disowning family members to leaving everything to strangers, wills have revealed shocking truths and hidden intentions, often sparking shock and controversy among loved ones. Below are some fascinating and bizarre stories shared by Reddit users about unexpected clauses and peculiar legacies left behind in wills.
Many individuals begin thinking about their wills as they age, contemplating how best to support their loved ones after they’re gone. For some, writing a will is a practical task done in good health, while for others, it becomes an emotional process initiated by a grim prognosis. While most people divide their assets among family and friends, some include unusual requests or leave legacies that no one could predict. Here are 17 intriguing examples of such unexpected final wishes.
1. The Unexpected Trust Fund
A solicitor recalled a woman who wanted to leave £100,000 in a trust fund for her pet goldfish. The fish, she insisted, must be fed fresh avocado daily and cared for by a dog walker. She was entirely serious.
2. A Hidden Daughter
Another client revealed she had a secret daughter. She left money and photographs to this daughter in her will, ensuring the rest of her family, including her husband, would remain unaware.
3. The Lucky Bus Driver
An older woman left her house and belongings to her local bus driver, who had been kind and helpful to her. Her family was blindsided and contested the will, but it was upheld as she was of sound mind when it was written.
4. Spring-Loaded Coffin
One young man humorously requested in his will that he be buried in a spring-loaded coffin that would surprise future archaeologists. If too expensive, he asked to be cremated instead.
5. Don’t Forget the Horse
A woman insisted that her horse be euthanized, cremated, and its ashes scattered with hers. Fortunately for the horse, the one named in the will had already passed away before the woman, sparing her replacement from an untimely fate.
6. Unusual Ash-Spreading Adventures
Some wills included requests for family and friends to travel worldwide to spread the deceased’s ashes in specific locations. Another notable case left a fortune to whichever Toronto-area woman had the most children by a specific date.
7. A Grandfather’s Tie
One Redditor’s grandfather left them a ridiculous navy-blue tie with pink elephants, claiming it intimidated people in business. He wanted his grandchild to use it to project the same confidence.
8. A Condition for Inheritance
A mother stipulated that one son would only receive his inheritance after visiting a dentist, while another had to lose 70 pounds to claim his share.