Strangest Wills of All Time
Testamentary freedom is a right in England to a person to divide their assets in their Will as they wish. Here are some of the most whacky and wonderful Wills we could find, which demonstrates how every circumstance is unique.
Love is like a Red Red Rose
The late comedian Jack Benny left a bequest of a single red rose to be delivered to his widow every day for the rest of her life, since his death in 1974.
Simply the Second Best
William Shakespeare left his widow, Anne Hathaway, his "second best bed"!
To Boldly Go Where No Man has Gone Before
Gene Rodenberry, creator of Star Trek, left instructions to have his ashes scattered via a space satellite orbiting earth which was fulfilled in 1997.
Feline Dusty
The British singer put a wish into her Will that her cat was to be fed imported baby food, serenaded with her songs and arranged for the cat to marry his new guardian’s pet cat.
A Flower is a Smile from Heaven
Self-made millionaire and financier Keith Owen left £2.3 million to keep the seaside town Sidmouth, Devon, in bloom with a million flower bulbs.
The Final Escape
The famous illusionist Houdini made a promise to his wife to contact her after his death and made up a secret message that was known only to her. In his Will, he stated that each anniversary of his death should be accompanied by a spiritual séance.
I Take Thee as my Awful Wedded Wife
Heinrich Heine, a poet from Germany, left his widow Mathilde all of his money under one condition: she could inherit it only if she remarried. Heinrich explained the condition on the gift by saying “Because then, at least one man will regret my death.”
At Eloise Mackenzie Law, no request is too bizarre for us! Email info@em-law.uk or call 07903024932 to get a free no obligation quote.
