People Reveal the CraziePeople have long used their wills as a way to make a final statement—whether it’s a message of love, revenge, or something completely unexpected. Sometimes these wills reveal shocking truths, hidden secrets, and deep emotions that can leave family members gasping.
From disowning relatives to leaving fortunes to strangers, these wills can spark heated debates and even lifelong family drama. Reddit users have shared some of the most bizarre and jaw-dropping stories about unusual requests left in wills, and here are a few of the most intriguing.
As we grow older, many of us start thinking about our wills—how to care for our loved ones after we’re gone. Some people approach writing their wills in a calm and logical way, while others are driven by fear or sadness due to a bad diagnosis.
While most of us simply divide our belongings among family and friends, some wills contain truly bizarre requests, revealing just how unique—and sometimes eccentric—people can be. Below are 17 of the most astonishing examples of wills that had family members and strangers alike scratching their heads.
The Trust Fund for a Pet Goldfish A solicitor once shared the story of a woman who wanted to leave £100,000 to a trust fund for her pet goldfish. She had specific instructions for the care of her fish, which included feeding it fresh avocado every day and hiring a dog walker to make sure it stayed active. The woman was completely serious about her wishes.
A Secret Daughter One woman revealed a shocking secret in her will—she had a daughter no one knew about. She left money, photographs, and a special message for this daughter, ensuring that her husband and other family members would remain completely unaware of her existence.
The Generous Bus Driver An older woman left everything—her house, her belongings, and her fortune—to her local bus driver. He had been kind to her, offering help and company when she needed it most. Her family was left in shock and tried to contest the will, but the judge ruled it was valid because she had been of sound mind when she wrote it.
The Spring-Loaded Coffin A young man requested something truly bizarre in his will—a spring-loaded coffin designed to surprise future archaeologists. If the coffin turned out to be too expensive, he asked to be cremated instead. The idea of shocking future generations with his unusual burial plan added a touch of humor to his final wishes.
The Horse’s Fate One woman made an unusual request for her beloved horse: she wanted it to be euthanized, cremated, and its ashes scattered alongside hers. However, fate had a different plan. By the time the woman passed away, the horse had already died, sparing her family the awkward task of carrying out the strange request.
Traveling the World with Ashes In some wills, the deceased made adventurous requests for their ashes. One person asked their family to travel to different countries and spread their ashes in specific locations. Another person left a fortune to the woman in the Toronto area who could have the most children by a set date.
A Ridiculous Tie One Redditor shared a story about their grandfather, who left them a ridiculous navy-blue tie with pink elephants on it. He believed it gave him confidence in business and wanted his grandchild to use it to project the same sense of power.
The Condition for Inheritance In one particularly strange will, a mother stated that one son could only receive his inheritance if he visited the dentist, while another son had to lose 70 pounds to claim his share. These bizarre conditions left the family stunned and confused.
The 56-Page Will A woman left behind a 56-page will detailing every single item in her house. From the wooden ladle to the toilet paper holder, she assigned specific objects to different people, ensuring that everything had a rightful owner after she passed away.
A Burial on the Property One woman insisted on being buried next to her husband on their rural property, despite it being illegal. She refused to say whether her husband had been cremated or not, which added an air of mystery to the whole situation. Her family had no choice but to follow her wishes.
A Trip to the Zoo In a more whimsical request, one man left a note in his will asking his family to visit the zoo immediately after his funeral. It was a quirky, but touching way for him to remain part of their lives even after death.
The Elvis Impersonator A rich uncle shocked his family by leaving his entire estate to an Elvis impersonator. The man’s family, who barely knew him, was left with nothing, while the impersonator gained access to the fortune.
The Guilty Son One of the most heartbreaking stories involved a multi-millionaire who left their fortune to their son, even though the son had been responsible for their death. The son had been declared legally insane and was living in a mental institution. Every year, he would call the bank for $50 to buy snacks, despite being the one to blame for his parent’s death.
Cats as Revenge In a bitter act of revenge, parents left their children only the family cats in their will, after the children had insisted that the parents adopt the pets, even though they hated them. It was a final, spiteful gesture that left the children with little to cherish.
A Gift for the City Council After a long fight over eminent domain, one man decided to leave the contents of his outhouse to the city council in his will. His children followed through with the bizarre request, boxing up the old magazines and books from the outhouse and delivering them to City Hall as a final joke.
The Surprised Taxi Driver A woman left her entire estate to her regular taxi driver, who had no idea until he was told after her death. Her former close friend, who had expected to inherit everything, contested the will, but it was upheld, leaving the taxi driver with an unexpected windfall.
The Hidden Fortune with a Twist One of the most unusual wills involved a grandmother who left a “hidden fortune” to her grandson—but there was a catch.
The grandson had to live in her old, run-down trailer for a full year without making any improvements, volunteer at an animal shelter for two years, and then write an essay on humility. This legacy was designed to teach him valuable life lessons.
These incredible stories show that wills can reflect a wide range of emotions—from humor to bitterness, love to revenge. Sometimes they bring closure, but other times they open the door to drama, surprise, and even laughter.
Whether heartwarming or strange, the stories behind these wills often last longer than the legacies themselves. What do you think of these wild final wishes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!st Wills They Ever Saw
