Sorry, she left it all to the cat…

1. The “Golden Goose” Inheritance

A wealthy couple in New Zealand once left their entire fortune to their pet hen, believing that the chicken would continue to lay golden eggs for generations to come. Although this may seem like a silly decision, the couple’s intention was to provide for the care of their beloved pet, and they trusted that their family would continue to care for the hen and benefit from its eggs.

2. The “Mummy’s Curse” Trust

In 1931, a wealthy businessman named Charles Vance Millar died and left a bizarre will that set up a trust fund with the stipulation that the last unmarried person in his family would inherit his fortune. The trust became known as the “Mummy’s Curse” trust, and led to a series of unusual marriages and relationships in the family as they vied for the inheritance. The final unmarried member of the family ended up being a distant cousin who was 94 years old and living in a retirement home.

3. The “Lottery” Inheritance

A couple in Florida once left their children an inheritance in the form of lottery tickets, with the stipulation that they could only cash them in after they had earned a college degree. The couple believed that education was a key factor in their children’s future success, and they hoped that the prospect of a big lottery win would motivate their children to pursue higher education.

4. The “Locked Trunk” Inheritance

In the early 20th century, a wealthy New York socialite named Hetty Green left her son an inheritance in the form of a locked trunk that contained her fortune. Her son was forced to go to court to obtain the key to the trunk and claim his inheritance. This unusual inheritance strategy was intended to ensure that her son would take responsibility for managing the family’s wealth and protect it from potential creditors.

5. The “Potato” Inheritance

A farmer in Ireland once left his son an inheritance in the form of a potato, with the stipulation that the potato should be planted and allowed to grow into a new crop that would provide for future generations. This humorous inheritance strategy was intended to teach his son the value of hard work and self-sufficiency, and to ensure that the family would continue to benefit from the land for years to come.

6. The “Painting” Inheritance

A British woman once left her entire fortune to her pet cat, with the stipulation that her husband would only receive an inheritance if he agreed to continue to care for the cat after her death. The most valuable asset in her estate was a painting that had been in the family for generations, and the husband was initially dismayed that he would have to give it up to the cat. However, after consulting with an estate planning professional, he realized that he could create a trust that would allow him to retain possession of the painting while providing for the cat’s care.

7. The “Tattoo” Inheritance

A man in the US once left his children an unusual inheritance – the rights to his tattoo designs. The man was a well-known tattoo artist, and he wanted his children to continue to benefit from his artistic legacy after his death. While this inheritance may seem unconventional, it was a creative way for the man to ensure that his children would have a source of income and a connection to their father’s passion.

8. The “Virtual” Inheritance

With the rise of digital assets and online platforms, some people are starting to include their virtual assets in their estate plans. For example, a gamer in Asia once left his online gaming account to his son, along with instructions on how to continue to play and maintain the account after his death. While this may seem like a strange way to pass on an inheritance, it highlights the changing nature of wealth and assets in the digital age.

9. The “Sausage” Inheritance

A wealthy businessman in Germany once left his entire estate to his pet dachshund, including a luxury villa and a large sum of money. The man had no children or other heirs, and he believed that his loyal pet deserved to inherit his fortune. While this may seem like an extreme example, it highlights the importance of providing for one’s pets in an estate plan, as they are often considered part of the family.

10. The “Joke” Inheritance

A man in the US once left his children an unusual inheritance – a joke that had been passed down through his family for generations. The joke was a secret that had been shared only with the eldest son in each generation, and was considered a symbol of the family’s history and traditions. While this may seem like a strange inheritance, it shows that there are many ways to pass on one’s legacy and values to future generations.

11. The “Pot of Gold” Inheritance

An eccentric millionaire in the US once buried a treasure chest filled with gold and jewels in a remote location, and left clues to its whereabouts in his will. The man hoped that his treasure hunt would inspire people to explore the outdoors and appreciate the natural world, while also providing a fun and exciting challenge for his heirs and the public. While the treasure has yet to be found, it has sparked a wave of interest and excitement among treasure hunters and adventurers around the world.

12. The “Wedding Cake” Inheritance

A wealthy woman in the UK once left her granddaughter an unusual inheritance – a slice of her wedding cake. The woman had saved a piece of her wedding cake for over 60 years, and believed that it had brought her good luck and happiness in her marriage. She hoped that by passing on a piece of the cake to her granddaughter, she would also pass on some of that good fortune and love.

While these examples of funny ways to transfer wealth may seem unusual, they demonstrate the importance of considering all aspects of an estate plan and tailoring it to the unique circumstances and desires of the individual. While some of these inheritance strategies may not be suitable for everyone, they show that with creativity and imagination, it is possible to transfer wealth in a way that reflects one’s values and priorities. However, it is important to seek professional advice to ensure that these unconventional strategies are legally valid and enforceable, and to avoid any unintended consequences or disputes.