From disowning family members to secretly leaving everything to a stranger, people have used their final wills to deliver shocking surprises—often at the expense of their loved ones. For some, it’s about generosity; for others, it’s a last chance to settle old scores.
The Unexpected Turns of a Final Will
As people age, thoughts naturally drift toward the future—what will happen to their loved ones once they’re gone? Writing a will is often a practical step, ensuring their legacy is passed on as they see fit.
But sometimes, what’s written in those final documents completely blindsides the people left behind.
Redditors shared some of the wildest and most unexpected things people have left in their wills—ranging from heartfelt wishes to outright petty revenge.
1. The Goldfish Trust Fund
u/scarlett_pimpernel, a solicitor, recalls a particularly unusual request:
“A lady wanted to create a trust fund of £100,000 for her pet fish. She wanted it to be fed fresh avocado daily and looked after by a local dog walker after she died. She was absolutely serious.”
2. A Secret Daughter No One Knew About
One woman revealed a family bombshell in her will:
“She confessed she had a secret daughter and wanted to leave her some money and photographs—without the rest of her family ever knowing. Not even her husband had a clue. That’s going to be one very interesting conversation when she passes.”
3. The Bus Driver’s Lucky Day
An elderly woman shocked everyone by leaving her house and belongings to… her bus driver.
“She did it because he was kind to her and always helped her. We were all waiting for hell to break loose when her family found out.”
4. A Will with a Sense of Humor
Some people take their wills very seriously. Others? Not so much.
One Redditor recalls a man who added a particularly unique clause to his will:
“My funeral wishes are that I be buried in a spring-loaded coffin—so that opening it would cause alarm to future archaeologists.”
5. “Bury My Horse with Me!”
A woman left explicit instructions in her will:
“She wanted her beloved horse euthanized, cremated, and its ashes scattered with hers. Luckily, she had named a horse that had already passed away. The one she got afterward? Lived to see another farm.”
6. The Mother Who Took Control of Her Sons’ Lives—Even After Death
One woman used her will to force her sons to make major life changes:
“One son would only receive his share if he visited a dentist. The other had to lose 70 pounds before he could get his inheritance.”
7. The Man Who Forced His Family to Visit the Zoo
One Redditor shared a heartwarming request:
“A man put in his will that his entire family must go to the zoo immediately after his burial. That day. No exceptions.”
8. The Elvis Impersonator Inheritance
A wealthy uncle left his entire estate—not to his family, not to charity, but to…
“An Elvis impersonator. Everything.”
9. The Man Who Left His Fortune to a Killer
One of the most disturbing stories involved a multi-million-dollar trust. The only beneficiary? The man who murdered the deceased.
“The son had been found guilty but pleaded insanity. He was in a mental hospital and would call the bank once a year, politely requesting $50 for commissary.”
10. The Ultimate Revenge—Giving the Kids Exactly What They Didn’t Want
A pair of very bitter parents found the perfect way to get back at their ungrateful children:
“They left millions in artwork and cash to various charities… but only left their kids the family cats. Why? Because the kids had forced them to get the cats for comfort in their old age, and the parents hated them.”
11. The “You’ll Only Inherit if You Earn It” Will
A grandmother knew her greedy grandson was waiting for his payday, so she left him a very specific challenge:
*”Her will stated that he could inherit her fortune—but only if he fulfilled three conditions:
- Live in her run-down trailer for a full year without any upgrades.
- Volunteer at the local animal shelter every weekend for two years.
- Write an essay on humility and compassion—and read it publicly at the shelter’s annual fundraiser.
His face went from greedy anticipation to utter disbelief.”*
12. The Taxi Driver Who Had No Idea He Was a Millionaire
Sometimes, kindness pays off in ways no one expects.
“A woman left almost everything to her regular taxi driver. He had no idea. When we informed him, he was shocked—and the original beneficiary (a lifelong friend of the woman) furiously contested the will. But it was upheld.”
13. The Man Who Took His Final Fight with the City Council to the Grave
*”My great-uncle spent years battling the city over eminent domain. When he passed, his will stated that he was leaving the contents of his outhouse to the city council.
As a joke, his kids boxed up all the magazines and books from the outhouse and delivered them to City Hall.“*
Final Words, Last Laughs, and Ultimate Acts of Revenge
These stories prove that being named in a will can either be a blessing—or a curse. A few sentences can change someone’s life forever, whether it’s a surprise inheritance, a test of character, or an ultimate act of revenge from beyond the grave.
What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever heard of in a will? Share your thoughts—we’d love to know!
