Throughout history, people have used their wills to make final statements. Sometimes these statements are full of love, other times of revenge, but they almost always come with surprises. From disowning family members to leaving everything to strangers, wills can reveal shocking truths, hidden desires, and cause unexpected drama.
Reddit users have shared some of the most bizarre and intriguing stories about strange clauses and unexpected legacies that have left everyone stunned. Let’s dive into these fascinating stories of final wishes that no one saw coming.
As people age, they start thinking more about their wills and how to take care of their loved ones when they’re gone. For many, writing a will is a practical task, especially when they’re still healthy.
For others, it’s an emotional process, often triggered by a bad diagnosis. While most people divide their assets among family and friends, some take a different route. They leave behind unusual requests or unexpected gifts that no one could have predicted. Here are 17 shocking and intriguing examples of final wishes that will leave you speechless.
1. The Unexpected Trust Fund for a Pet
A solicitor once worked on a case where a woman left £100,000 in a trust fund for her pet goldfish. But the conditions? They were wild. The fish was to be fed fresh avocado every day and even had to be cared for by a dog walker. The solicitor said, “She was completely serious about it. She wanted her goldfish to live in luxury, just like her.”
2. A Hidden Daughter
One woman had a secret daughter no one knew about. She left money and personal photographs for this daughter in her will, ensuring that no one— not even her husband—would ever find out. Her family was shocked when they discovered the truth.
3. The Generous Bus Driver
An older woman decided to leave her entire house and belongings to her local bus driver. He had always been kind and helpful to her, so she wanted to show her appreciation. Her family, however, was blindsided and tried to contest the will.
But it was upheld because she was of sound mind when she wrote it. It just goes to show how much one act of kindness can leave a lasting impression!
4. The Spring-Loaded Coffin
One young man made a very peculiar request in his will. He wanted to be buried in a spring-loaded coffin, one that would surprise future archaeologists. He also gave a backup option: if the coffin was too expensive, he requested to be cremated instead. Imagine the look on the faces of archaeologists in a few hundred years!
5. Don’t Forget the Horse
A woman wanted her horse to be euthanized, cremated, and its ashes scattered with hers after she passed away. Luckily for the horse, the person named in her will to carry out the request had already passed away before the woman, so the horse was spared.
6. Ashes Across the World
One will included an unusual request: the deceased wanted their ashes to be scattered in specific locations around the world. Friends and family were tasked with traveling far and wide to make sure this wish came true.
Another stranger request came from a woman who left a fortune to any Toronto-area woman who could have the most children by a certain date.
7. The Grandfather’s Tie
A Reddit user shared how their grandfather left them a ridiculous navy-blue tie with pink elephants on it. According to the will, he believed this tie would give his grandchild the confidence to succeed in business.
“He said it intimidated people and made him feel powerful,” the Redditor recalled. The grandchild was told to wear it proudly and use it to project the same strength.
8. A Condition for Inheritance
One mother’s will had some shocking conditions for her sons. One son was told he would only receive his inheritance if he visited a dentist, while the other son had to lose 70 pounds to claim his share. Talk about tough love!
9. The 56-Page Will
One woman didn’t just write a simple will; she made a detailed 56-page document! She listed every item in her house, down to the wooden ladle and the toilet paper holder, and assigned them to specific people. Her family had to read through the entire document to know who got what, from the smallest trinket to the most valuable items.
10. Buried on the Property
A woman wanted to be buried next to her husband on their rural property, even though it was illegal. What made this request even more mysterious was that she refused to clarify whether her husband had been cremated or buried. The entire situation left her family puzzled, and it remains an unsolved mystery.
11. A Trip to the Zoo
One man’s will was full of whimsy. He requested that his family visit the zoo immediately after his funeral. It was his way of adding a bit of fun and nostalgia to his passing. His family was a little confused at first, but they honored his request and took a trip to the zoo.
12. The Elvis Impersonator
A rich uncle left his entire estate to an Elvis impersonator, leaving his family in shock. They had rarely seen him during his lifetime, and now they were completely left out of his fortune. “He was always a little eccentric,” one relative commented. “But none of us ever expected this!”
13. The Guilty Beneficiary
In a bizarre twist, a multi-millionaire left his fortune to his son, who was responsible for his death. However, the son had been declared legally insane, so the fortune went to him anyway. The son, living in a mental institution, would call the bank every year to request $50 for snacks.
14. Revenge with Cats
Some parents decided to leave their children a very unusual inheritance: the family cats. This act of revenge was because the children had forced their parents to adopt the cats, even though the parents hated them. As the children looked at their inheritance, they could only shake their heads in disbelief.
15. A Gift for the City Council
After a long battle with eminent domain, one man decided to get his last laugh. He left the contents of his outhouse to the city council. His children boxed up all the magazines and books from the outhouse and delivered them to City Hall. It was a strange but fitting parting gift for the city officials who had caused him so much trouble.
16. The Surprised Taxi Driver
One woman left her estate to her regular taxi driver. He had no idea about this until he was informed after her death. Her close friend, who had expected to inherit, contested the will, but it was upheld. The taxi driver, who had simply been kind to her over the years, was left with everything.
17. The Hidden Fortune with Life Lessons
One grandmother left a “hidden fortune” to her grandson, but only on one condition: he had to live in her old, run-down trailer for a year without making any upgrades. He also had to volunteer at an animal shelter for two years and write a public essay on humility.
Her legacy wasn’t just about money—it was about teaching him life lessons that would last forever.
These stories show that wills are not just legal documents—they can be full of humor, bitterness, kindness, and sometimes, unbelievable twists. Some of them offer closure, while others spark new chapters of family drama or surprise.
Whether they are heartwarming or downright bizarre, these final wishes are a reminder that a person’s legacy can live on in ways no one expects.
What do you think about these stories? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
