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When it comes to writing a Will, most people focus on ensuring that their loved ones are taken care of after they are gone. However, there have been a number of strange and unusual wills throughout history that have left people scratching their heads. From pets inheriting millions of dollars to bizarre clauses that must be followed in order to receive an inheritance, these top 10 strangest wills showcase the eccentricities and quirks of the wealthy and famous.

Top 10 Weirdest Wills:

1.Ted Williams: In 2005, the famous baseball player left half of his estate to his son and the other half to a cancer charity. However, he also included a clause in his Will stating that his body should be frozen after his death.

2. Leona Helmsley: In 2006, the billionaire hotelier left $12 million to her dog, Trouble, in her Will. The amount was later reduced to $2 million by a judge, but it was still a significant portion of her $4 billion estate.

3. James Gray: In 2007, the eccentric millionaire left his entire $5 million estate to the University of California, Berkeley, with the stipulation that the money be used to fund research into extraterrestrial intelligence.

4. Lady Mary Heath: In 2009, the British socialite left her entire $65 million fortune to her pet parrot, Coco. However, the Will was later deemed invalid because it was not properly witnessed.

5. Prince: In 2011, the famous musician left no Will when he died, leading to a legal battle between his siblings over his estimated $300 million estate.

6. Karl Lagerfeld: In 2014, the French fashion designer left his entire $200 million fortune to his cat, Choupette, in his Will.

7. Leona Hemsley: In 2015, the billionaire hotelier left her entire $2.9 billion estate to a charitable trust, with the stipulation that none of the money be used to fund animal rights organizations or medical research involving animals.

8. B.B. King: In 2016, the eccentric millionaire left his entire $30 million estate to his fifteen children, with the stipulation that they all had to take DNA tests to prove that they were his biological offspring.

9. Denise Coates: In 2017, the British billionaire left her entire $3.8 billion fortune to her five children, with the stipulation that they must all work for her company, Bet365, for at least five years in order to inherit their share of the estate.

10. Aretha Franklin: In 2018, the famous musician left her entire $80 million estate to her four children, with the stipulation that they must all attend college and earn degrees in order to inherit their share of the estate.

These top 10 weirdest wills demonstrate the unique and sometimes eccentric ways in which wealthy individuals choose to distribute their assets after they are gone. From frozen bodies to pets and charitable trusts, these unusual clauses show that even in death, the wealthy and famous continue to make headlines and defy expectations. You can read more here..

The Denver Broncos fumbled the ball on his estate plan

Pat Bowlen, the billionaire owner of the Denver Broncos, passed away with what was supposed to be an orderly, organized, and air-tight estate plan. Pat Bowlen was a former owner of the Denver Broncos, a professional American football team in the National Football League (NFL). He was the team’s owner from 1984 until his death in 2019, and during his ownership, the Broncos won three Super Bowl titles and made it to the playoffs numerous times. Bowlen was highly regarded as one of the most successful and influential owners in the NFL, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019. Pat Bowlen purchased the Broncos in 1984 and the franchise won three Super Bowls during his ownership. It was estimated that he purchased the Broncos for a cool $78 million dollars. Bowlen ceded control of the team in July 2014 when he acknowledged that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Bowlen passed away in 2019 and the Pat Bowlen Trust has assumed ownership since then.

Everything was supposed to go smoothly after his death.

The exact opposite happened.

Bowlen’s surviving family members, which included his seven children from two marriages, his three siblings (who were various co-owners at different points in time with their own children) all complicated the estate plan with their constant bickering.

The complications with the estate plan are as follows:

1. The removal three trustees as the estate’s conservator, and bickering about the appointment of an independent party to serve as the estate’s conservator.
2. The current trustees declined a succession plan submitted by Pat’s two daughters from his first marriage, Amie Klemmer and Beth Bowlen Wallace. Annabel Bowlen—Pat’s second wife—“became very upset” when she learned that Beth progressed toward ascension as the controlling owner.

Essentially, even though Pat had everything planned out, family bickering became a contentious problem. You can read more, here.

Wealth. Apathy. Estate Planning.

This is probably a scenario you have come across before: a couple put off planning their estate when their children were young, thinking there would be lot of time later on. The couple is now nearing their twilight years and still have nothing in writing. This is apparently common for many couples: wealthy or not, planning for one’s estate is a process many put off . If you have (or feel) that you have nothing in the way off assets, why bother going through (what is purportedly a long-drawn out process of estate planning) if you have little in your name? Even the very words, estate planning, sounds complex, nebulous, almost mysterious. Much like creating a Last Will and Testament, wealthy people are also put off from the process.. There is a mistaken belief that there will always be enough money to cover the estate, taxes, etc., without having to properly plan for it. Does wealth keep you from planning for your estate.

Agricultural conservation easements: If you want to ensure that your farm is preserved for future generations, you may want to consider setting up an agricultural conservation easement. This is a legal agreement that allows you to protect the farm’s natural resources and preserve its agricultural use. If you have a farm business, you’ll need to consider how it will be managed and operated after you’re gone. A business succession plan can help you to ensure that the business continues to thrive and meet the needs of its customers.

It’s important for wealthy individuals to remember that estate planning is an important way to protect their assets and ensure that they are distributed according to their wishes. It can also help to minimize taxes and other costs, which can be especially important for wealthy individuals. If you’re a wealthy individual and you’ve been procrastinating, it’s important to take action and get started as soon as possible.

Pet ownership during the pandemic – why you need a Pet Will!

A pet Will is a legal document allowing an individual to specify how they want their pets to be cared for after their death. This document allows one to appoint a caregiver for the pet(s) and specify the terms of care, including provisions for feeding, housing, medical treatment, and other needs. It can also provide financial resources to cover the costs.

These types of Wills are typically created as part of an individual’s overall estate plan and are intended to ensure that the individual’s furry friends are provided for in the event of an individual’s death. It is important to carefully consider your furry friend’s needs and to choose a reliable and responsible caregiver to ensure that they are well taken care of. Everyone loves their dogs/cat/birds, etc., but we don’t think about planning for them in the same we do as, for instance, our own children. Why not have a document that protects them in the event of our death? That’s where these legal documents come in.

Pet ownership in Canada rose by 40% during the pandemic. 31% of those who adopted pets were first-time pet owners. 3 in 10 Canadians adopted a pet during those trying times. Have you thought of the reasons as to why you need to plan for your pets if you die or wind up in an accident? Just like having a Last Will, documentation for your pets, planning for your pets to be taken care of, etc., are all important. What questions do you need to consider when you need to do pet planning? Pet planning is far more thorough and complex than you might think: you need to plan out who your pet guardian(s) are going to be, how much money you need to leave behind for your pets, vet care, medical treatments, etc. You can start with the whole (thorough) process here.

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