People have long used their wills to leave behind their final words, which can range from heartfelt expressions of love to surprising acts of revenge. These wills often hide shocking truths, create drama, and stir up controversy.
Whether it’s disowning family members or leaving everything to strangers, the surprises found in wills can be bizarre and mind-boggling. Below, you’ll find a collection of fascinating and strange stories shared by Reddit users about unexpected clauses and quirky legacies left behind in wills.
As people age, they often start thinking about what will happen after they’re gone. Some view creating a will as a practical task, while for others, it’s something they must do after receiving bad news about their health.
But while most people divide their wealth among family and friends, some include unexpected requests that no one could have foreseen. From the bizarre to the truly odd, here are 17 stories of unusual final wishes.
1. The Unexpected Trust Fund
A solicitor shared the story of a woman who wanted to leave £100,000 in a trust fund for her pet goldfish. “She insisted the fish must be fed fresh avocado every day and cared for by a dog walker,” the solicitor explained. “She was absolutely serious about it.” It was a final wish that left everyone involved speechless.
2. A Hidden Daughter
Another story involves a client who, on her deathbed, revealed a shocking secret: she had a hidden daughter. This woman had left money, pictures, and other keepsakes for this secret daughter in her will, while ensuring that her husband and the rest of the family remained completely unaware. It was a bombshell revelation that no one saw coming.
3. The Lucky Bus Driver
In a twist of fate, an elderly woman left her house and belongings to her local bus driver, who had been kind and helpful to her over the years. “Her family was completely blindsided,” a lawyer explained. “They contested the will, but it was upheld. She was of sound mind when she wrote it, and it was her wish.” The family never imagined that the bus driver would become the beneficiary.
4. Spring-Loaded Coffin
One young man took a humorous approach to his final wish. In his will, he requested a spring-loaded coffin that would surprise future archaeologists. “If it’s too expensive,” he wrote, “please cremate me instead.” It was a quirky request that could leave anyone chuckling while contemplating his unique sense of humor.
5. Don’t Forget the Horse
A woman insisted in her will that her beloved horse be euthanized, cremated, and have its ashes scattered along with hers. Fortunately for the horse, the person named in the will had already passed away before she did, sparing the animal from an untimely fate.
6. Unusual Ash-Spreading Adventures
One final wish included an adventurous request: family members had to travel around the world to spread the deceased’s ashes in specific locations. Another case involved a fortune left to whichever woman in the Toronto area had the most children by a certain date. These strange wishes proved that death can sometimes come with a side of adventure.
7. A Grandfather’s Tie
One Reddit user shared a story about their grandfather, who left them an odd gift: a navy-blue tie with pink elephants on it. “He said the tie was a confidence booster because it intimidated people in business meetings,” the user recalled.
“He wanted me to wear it and project the same boldness.” The tie became a family heirloom, and every time they wore it, they could almost hear their grandfather’s voice urging them to take charge.
8. A Condition for Inheritance
In another will, a mother made it clear that her son would only receive his inheritance after fulfilling specific conditions: he had to visit a dentist. Meanwhile, her other son had to lose 70 pounds in order to claim his share.
“I’ve made my wishes clear,” she wrote. “The inheritance will be earned.” Her sons, faced with unusual demands, found themselves scrambling to meet the conditions.
9. The 56-Page Will
One woman took meticulous planning to the extreme by writing a 56-page will. “She listed every single item in her house, from the wooden ladle to the toilet paper holder, and assigned each one to specific people,” a lawyer explained. “It was the most detailed will anyone had ever seen.” This woman ensured that her possessions would go to exactly the right people.
10. A Burial on the Property
A woman had an unusual request in her will: she wanted to be buried next to her husband on her rural property, even though it was illegal. “She wouldn’t clarify whether her husband had been cremated or not,” a friend explained, adding an air of mystery to the whole situation. Her final resting place remains a topic of curiosity to this day.
11. A Trip to the Zoo
One man made his final request a whimsical one: after his funeral, his family was to visit the zoo. It was a lighthearted and touching way for him to be remembered. His family did as he asked, sharing a bittersweet smile as they strolled through the zoo, knowing that their loved one had left them with a quirky but heartfelt final wish.
12. The Elvis Impersonator
In a shocking twist, a wealthy uncle left his entire fortune to an Elvis impersonator, completely bypassing his own family. “We barely saw him, and now we were left with nothing,” a family member said. “It was like a scene from a movie.” The family’s shock was palpable as they realized that the impersonator, not them, was the true heir.
13. The Guilty Beneficiary
One millionaire left their fortune to a son who had been responsible for their death—but the son had been declared legally insane. “He was living in a mental institution at the time,” a relative explained. “Once a year, he would call the bank to request $50 for snacks.” It was a bizarre inheritance that raised many eyebrows.
14. Revenge with Cats
In a story of revenge, parents left only their family’s cats to their children. “We were forced to adopt the cats, even though we hated them,” one of the children shared. “So, when our parents passed away, they made sure we were the ones who took care of them.” It was a final act of spite that left the children caring for the pets they had never wanted.
15. A Gift for the City Council
After a lengthy battle with eminent domain, one man left the contents of his outhouse to the city council. “He had a long-standing feud with the city,” his son said. “So, we boxed up the old magazines and books from the outhouse and delivered them to City Hall as a final joke.” It was a final jest that left the city council members scratching their heads.
16. The Surprised Taxi Driver
A woman surprised her regular taxi driver by leaving her entire estate to him in her will. “He had no idea until we told him after her death,” a friend recalled. “Her previous beneficiary, a close friend, contested the will, but it stood.” It was a shocking and unexpected turn of events for the taxi driver, who was left speechless.
17. The Hidden Fortune with Strings Attached
One grandmother left a “hidden fortune” to her grandson, but with a strange set of conditions: he had to live in her old, run-down trailer for a year without making any improvements, volunteer at an animal shelter for two years, and write a public essay on humility.
“She wanted to teach me life lessons,” the grandson shared. “It wasn’t just about the money—it was about earning it.” It was a legacy that taught him more than he ever imagined.
These stories serve as a reminder that wills can be filled with humor, bitterness, and generosity. They can provide closure or open new chapters of drama and surprise. Whether heartwarming or strange, these legacies often live on in tales that outlast the inheritances themselves.
What do you think of these final wishes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
