Did You Keep The Receipt?
This article was written for and published as original content in Mersea Life.
The Strange Gifts People Leave Behind in Their Wills
As Christmas approaches and the nation gears up for its annual exchange of socks, scented candles and Secret Santa surprises, it’s worth remembering that the tradition of giving questionable gifts doesn’t end when the wrapping paper does. Some presents arrive long after the sender has gone - tucked inside Wills, waiting to stun the people left behind.
And unlike Christmas, you definitely can’t take these ones back.
Stockings Full of Surprises
We tend to imagine Wills dividing up homes, savings and treasured heirlooms. But many executors will tell you it’s the unexpected, unlabelled and utterly unexplainable items that raise the biggest eyebrows.
One widely-shared probate tale involves a woman who left her family an enormous porcelain doll collection. Hundreds of dolls, each with a handwritten note explaining which relative it supposedly resembled. The family were not amused and it became the gift that kept on giving… mostly nightmares!
Gifts Nobody Asked For
Shakespeare’s writing is still studied and celebrated today and, surprisingly, so is his Will. The Bard famously left his wife, Anne Hathaway, his ‘second-best bed.’ Scholars still debate whether this was a touching gesture or the Elizabethan equivalent of receiving a pair of jeans two sizes too small. A romantic keepsake, or a passive-aggressive parting shot? We’ll never know, but it’s one of history’s most iconic unwanted gifts.
If the Shoe Fits
One of Britain’s most famous probate anecdotes involves a man who left his nephew a single shoe, accompanied by the note: “You know why.” It turns out the nephew, definitely did not know why! Whatever message the man intended has been lost to time - a perfect example of why, if you want to leave the perfect gift, make sure the instructions are also included.
Well said
Sometimes the issue isn’t the gift, but the timing. Several UK estates feature Wills leaving ‘my car’ to a loved one - only for the car to have been sold years earlier so there’s nothing left to give! In another memorable case, the replacement vehicle was far more valuable, sparking a family dispute worthy of an EastEnders Christmas special – a good idea badly written!
While these unusual gifts are entertaining, they also highlight why clarity in your Will matters. So, as you wrap presents this Christmas, maybe spare a moment to think about what you’d like to leave behind. A thoughtful Will ensures your loved ones receive something meaningful - not a mess a mystery or a misguided gift.
Because while Christmas presents can be returned, inheritance surprises sometimes take a little longer to unwrap.
To make or update your Will, please contact the experienced and knowledgeable Wills and Estates team at Thompson Smith and Puxon by emailing enquiries@tsplegal.com, or by calling 01206 574431.