As part of your estate planning process, you can bequeath, aka gift, assets and property that are given to your loved ones when you pass away. Throughout history, there have always been unique, eccentric estate plans that raise eyebrows, elicit a chuckle, or even spark controversy. We searched far and wide to find some of the most memorable estate plan gifts that have been made throughout the years.
The Millionaire Dog
One of the most famous cases of an extravagant estate plan involves a little white Maltese dog named Trouble, who was the pet of real estate mogul Leona Helmsley. When Helmsley passed away in 2007, she left a staggering $12 million to her beloved dog, ensuring that Trouble would live out her days in lavish comfort. The inheritance led to a legal battle, and eventually, Trouble's Trust fund was reduced to $2 million, which still afforded her a very plush lifestyle.
The Stork Derby
At the turn of the 20th century, Toronto-based lawyer Charles Vance Millar concocted perhaps one of the most bizarre Will challenges in history. His estate plan stipulated that ten years after his death, the remainder of his fortune should be given to the woman in Toronto who gave birth to the most children during that period. This led to the infamous "Great Stork Derby," where several women competed for the inheritance, resulting in legal disputes and media frenzy.
A Birthday Gift, Literally
Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of 'Treasure Island,' whimsically bequeathed his November 13th birthday to the daughter of a friend, who had complained about being born on Christmas Day and therefore had to share her birthday with the holiday. In his Will, Stevenson jokingly transferred all rights and privileges of his own birthday to her.
A Daily Rose
When comedian Jack Benny passed away, he left a unique and enduring symbol of his love for his wife. His estate plan included a provision for a single red rose to be delivered to his widow every day for the rest of her life. The daily delivery became a heartfelt reminder of their romance.
Shakespeare in Love? Perhaps Not
The tale of Anne Hathaway, known historically as Mrs. Shakespeare, epitomizes a posthumous snub of dramatic proportions. Shakespeare, an illustrious playwright, bequeathed his "second-best bed" to her, relegating the majority of his estate instead to his daughter Susanna. Today, Shakespeare's widow likely would have had the legal means to contest the Will with a claim that his provisions did not provide reasonable financial support.
A Blooming Legacy
Keith Owen, a 69-year-old millionaire, faced a terminal cancer diagnosis and only weeks to live. He chose to leave his £2.3 million fortune to Sidmouth, a coastal village in England and his favorite vacation destination. He entrusted his wealth to the Sid Vale Association, mandating that a portion be used to plant one million flowering bulbs. His vision was to ensure the coastal town remained vibrant with blooming flowers. According to his wishes, the principal amount was to remain intact, while the generated interest, approximately £125,000 annually, would be allocated towards the beautification and upkeep of Sidmouth and its two neighboring villages.
Marriage Provisions
In 1856, the German poet Heinrich Heine left his estate to his wife Matilda under one peculiar condition—she must remarry so that "at least one man would regret my death." This stipulation highlights a blend of humor and spite, showcasing Heine's unique character even in facing his own death. Legal experts note that such a condition could easily be overturned today. Matilda potentially could inherit without fulfilling the requirement due to inheritance laws that favor the unrestricted transfer of assets when no direct descendants are involved.
Skipping Generations
Wellington Burt, a Michigan millionaire, created a testamentary time capsule with his Will. In other words, he effectively putting his wealth beyond the reach of his family members for nearly a century. His Will stipulated that his fortune would only be distributed 21 years after the death of his last surviving grandchild. This was realized in November 2010. Why would he do such a thing? While true motivations cannot be known, this controversial decision did bring about some benefit. By 2010, the estate was valued at $110 million and benefits about 12 of his descendants. (Lucky them!)
A Twist of Fate
Imagine finding out that you are to inherit a fortune based on a random draw. This fantasy became reality for 70 strangers in Portugal. Luis Carlos de Noronha Cabral da Camara, an aristocrat, randomly selected his heirs from a phone directory. This unusual method of choosing Beneficiaries sounds like the plot of a movie. As one might imagine, it left many of the recipients in disbelief and wondering about the motivations behind such a generous and surprising decision.
Messages from the Beyond
Harry Houdini, the legendary magician and illusionist, made a promise before his death in 1926. He assured his wife, Bess, that he would attempt to contact her from the afterlife. To fulfill this, he requested annual séances on the anniversary of his death, embedding a secret phrase—"Rosabelle, believe"—as the ultimate proof of contact from beyond. Bess dedicated over a decade to these séances in hope of a supernatural reunion. The tradition lives on, maintained by enthusiasts of Houdini's enigmatic legacy.
Ride in Style
Sandra West, a California socialite and oil fortune heiress, left the world with explicit burial directives at the young age of 37. Her Will demanded burial in her lace nightgown, laid to rest in the comfort of her powder blue 1964 Ferrari 330 America, set in a comfortably reclined seat. Today, this automobile treasure could fetch upwards of $300,000, illustrating the unique way she chose to blend luxury and legacy.
A Hairy Bequest
Henry Budd, a prosperous Englishman, bequeathed his vast wealth to his two sons that came down to one strange stipulation—facial hair. Should Edward decide to sport mustaches, his claim to the esteemed "Pepper Park" estate would be null, passing it instead to William. Conversely, should William grow mustaches, he would forfeit his claim to "Twickenham Park" in favor of Edward. This unusual condition placed a peculiar twist on the distribution of Budd's legacy, prioritizing grooming preferences over traditional inheritance protocols.
A Clause to Remember
Janis Joplin, the iconic singer celebrated for her electrifying performances and colorful lifestyle, left behind a testament to her zest for life. Before her shocking death in 1970 due to an overdose, Joplin amended her Will that allocated $2,500 for an all-night farewell party at her favorite pub in San Anselmo, California.
She intended this party to be a final goodbye and a thank-you to her 200 guests, ensuring that her friends could celebrate her life in a style true to her spirited nature. Alongside this unique request, Joplin made arrangements to support her family's financial security, leaving the remainder of her estate to her parents. Joplin's legacy highlights how you can achieve a number of objectives through your estate plan. You have the power to choose how you want to honor your life, relationships, and loved ones.
The Sound of Legacy
Mr. Sanborn was an American hatter who passed away in 1871, demanded his skin be used to craft two drums. These instruments were to be played annually at Bunker Hill to the tune of "Yankee Doodle Dandy," commemorating the Revolutionary War. The remainder of his body was to enrich the soil as fertilizer for an American elm, creating a lasting, if not unsettling, memorial.
Napoleon's Hairloom
One of Napoleon Bonaparte's final wishes involved a personal memento—his hair. He instructed for bracelets made from his shaven locks to be fashioned with gold clasps and distributed among his close relatives and his son, ensuring a piece of him remained with his family.
Bentham's Lasting Presence
Jeremy Bentham, an English philosopher, remains on display per his own directive at University College London. His preserved remains, adorned in his clothing and seated with his cane, make for a compelling sight in a glass-fronted cabinet, referred to as the "Auto-Icon." While initially intended to include his actual head, decay led to the substitution of a wax replica, with his real head securely stored away after repeated student pranks.
A Tribute Bound in Ink
Mark Gruenwald, a revered comic book writer for Marvel Comics, left a unique request upon his death in 1996. His ashes were to be mixed with the ink used for printing the first trade paperback collection of "Squadron Supreme," merging his essence with his creative legacy.
Estate Planning with Flair: Make it Your Own
While these case studies of unique and eccentric estate bequests may leave you scratching your head at times, they all help to drive home an important point. An estate plan may at surface level come across as dry, but in reality, it's a powerful tool that provides a large amount of flexibility. Working within a legal framework, you can fully customize an estate plan so that it is an extension of yourself and a reflection of your desires and values. As these stories show, estate planning can sometimes be as quirky and as vibrant as life itself. While it's critical to ensure your affairs are in order, these individuals remind us that it doesn't hurt to add a dash of personality to our final arrangements.
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