Weird Probate Issues Part 7

Rod Genders

7 years ago

Here’s another in our series of articles about Weird Wills, Problematic Probates and Disturbing Deaths. If you’re twisted like us, you might get a chuckle out of some of the strange stuff people do at the end of their time on this mortal coil …

1. I say Hello and you say Goodbye

Anthony Scott, in his last will and testament wrote: ‘To my first wife Sue, whom I always promised to mention in my will. Hello Sue!’

2. Proper Conditions

The last will and testament of Edith S of Walsall included £50,000 to each of her children, Roger, Helen and Patricia. Their inheritance was not to be spent on ‘slow horses and fast women and only a very small amount on booze’.

3. Drunk Lawyers?

A Will submitted for Probate in the UK contained a legacy to ‘The Royal Society for the Prevention of Birds”, while Frank Clifford’s Will included a legacy to the ‘Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals’

4. Majestic

Charles P of Bangor, North Wales left a Will in which he stated: “I abdicate a title ‘King Charles I of Wales’ which I claimed in 1977″.

5. Drunken Sailor

Roger Morris of Penzance gave £250 in his Will “to be spent on a booze-up for the members and helpers of the Penlee lifeboat crew.”

6.A Mother’s Love

Sara Clarke of Bournmouth directed in her Will: “To my daughter, I leave £1 – for the kindness and love she has never shown me.”

7. Warm and Fuzzy

West Yorkshire woman Rosaleen S made a Will in which she said: “I give to Stonyhurst Jesuits the sum of £500 for the purchase of thermal underwear”.

8. Was that you?

“I wish peace and affluence to all my friends and a piece of effluence to all my enemies”

9. Vengeance in Mine

One man left his employer one shilling (ten cents) to buy a book on manners.

10. Come Again?

Norman Earnest Digweed’s Will directed that his estate of £26,000 be placed in trust for 80 years for Jesus Christ should he return within that time. A substantial number of people came forward to claim the estate which nevertheless passed to the Crown after the 80 years was up in 1977.

11. Dogs and Cats

One cat-loving lady left her whole house to be used to provide for her cat. The lady’s funeral was to be held on a clear summers day, and her cat was sunning itself lazily on the drive outside when sadly it was run over by the hearse. Miss Amy T of Doncaster left £500 to the Doncaster Branch of the RSPCA, requesting it be used to provide dinners at Christmas for dogs in their care.

It is important to remember that Wills can be challenged and some final instructions relating to a Will are not always upheld in a court of law. Care should always be taken when completing your Will. If someone successfully challenges a Will it may be deemed invalid, and the court can distribute the estate as if the Will never existed. The estate will then be distributed according to the Rules of Intestacy.

So remember: if you write something in your Will that invalidates it you might die intestate – leaving your loved ones with the inevitable emotional and financial fallout of this to deal with.

If you don’t have a Will or have one that needs updating we offer a cost effective and convenient estate planning service. Our specialist expert consultants can come to you and our rates are very competitive. To learn more about our services please call 08 8212 7233 or email mail@genders.com.au

Weird Probate Issues Articles Series

More Probate Resources

SPECIAL REPORT “7 Things You Must Know Before You Make Your Will”

In this report you will Learn:

Why home-made Wills can be a LOT more expensive than you might think.
The secret weapons used by the rich & powerful to protect their assets, and transfer their wealth two or three generations ahead.
How Estate and Trustee Companies make BIG money from “free” Wills.
The Most Common Estate Planning Mistakes, how they can cost your family a fortune, and How to Avoid Them.
The Elements of a Sound Estate Plan – why a Will alone is not enough.
How to Make Sure Your Assets Stay in Your Family and are not lost to creditors, lawsuits or ex-spouses.
How to guard against challenges to your Estate after you’re gone.