Published on The Guardian | Money
by Felicity Hannah on August 25th, 2015
Leaving instructions for what should happen to your finances after your death is a serious matter – but for some the temptation to cause mischief or raise a smile from beyond the grave is too much to resist…
While it might seem hilarious to write jokes into a will, it’s not without risk.
[According to statistics at the time of this article] In the UK we are not very good at drawing up wills. In fact, fewer than half of UK adults have done so, leaving 26 million people with no formal instructions for what should happen to their possessions on their death. But perhaps we’re just not imaginative enough. After all, for some people a will is not just a list of bequests; it’s a chance to leave a loved-one a final thoughtful gesture, or show a hopeful relative how much you preferred the dog to them.
We’ve rounded up 10 strange bequests left in wills for anyone needing a little inspiration …
Tempting as it may be to go out with a laugh, it’s probably better to err on the side of caution and to take your will seriously. If you absolutely insist on a joke, or an odd request, check to see whether this could invalidate the will and avoid doing it if it could. For more outlandish requests, it may be better to use the non-legally binding letter of wishes.
Emma Myers, Saga Legal Services
