Wills are not just paperwork - they're personal statements!

Much like the people who write them, Wills come in all shapes and sizes. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and why would there be? Everyone has their own ideas about what should happen after they’re gone – and some of these ideas are a little quirkier than others. Let’s take a look at some fascinating (and fun!) ways people have made their Wills truly unique.

Funeral wishes: going out in style

For many, a funeral is a deeply personal event. Whether it’s guided by religious or cultural beliefs or something more unique, your Will can include your funeral wishes to make sure your send-off is exactly as you’d like it.

Take Fred Baur, for example. You might not know his name, but you’ve definitely seen his work. Fred was the inventor of the iconic Pringles tube, and he was so proud of his creation that he requested to have his ashes buried in one. His family honoured the request after his passing in 2008. (What flavour they used? That’s a family secret!)

Your furry friends: forever family members

If your pets are basically your children (let’s be honest, they are), then you’re not alone in wanting to make sure they’re cared for after you’re gone.

Karl Lagerfeld, the legendary creative director of Chanel, famously left a portion of his estate to his beloved cat, Choupette. While you can’t legally leave money directly to a pet, you can make sure they’re looked after by naming a trusted person in your Will and leaving them funds specifically to care for your furry friend. Your fur-baby deserves nothing less!

Special requests: leave a legacy of fun

Who says your Will can’t reflect your personality? Rock legend Janis Joplin sure thought so. When she tragically passed in 1970, she left money for her friends to throw a wild, booze-filled party in her honour. Her instructions? To “have a ball” after she was gone. And they did! Around 200 of her closest friends gathered at her favourite Californian club to celebrate her life in true Joplin style.

So, if there’s something specific that you’d like to fund or create, why not include it in your Will? Your legacy can be whatever you want it to be.

Non-cash legacies: it’s not just about money

Wills aren’t just about who gets the house or the savings. They’re also about the personal stuff — the things that hold sentimental value.

For example, William Shakespeare famously left his “second-best bed” to his wife, Anne Hathaway. Back then, clean mattresses were literally the thing of dreams, but we can’t help but wonder, what happened to the best bed?

The point is, if there’s something important to you — sentimental or valuable — you can make sure it ends up in the right hands by including it in your Will.

Beneficiaries: you’ve got options

Think you don’t need a Will because you’ve got no one to leave things to? Think again! Your options for beneficiaries are almost endless.

You can leave your estate to family, friends, charities, or — if you’re feeling bold — total strangers. That’s exactly what Portuguese aristocrat Luis Carlos de Noronha Cabral da Camara (yes, that’s a mouthful!) did. With no close relatives or children, he chose 70 random people from the Lisbon phonebook to inherit his fortune. (Imagine getting that phone call!)

Charity starts (and ends) with you

As mentioned above, Wills aren’t just for family and friends; they’re also a great way to support causes you care about.

William and Dorothy Wordsworth, the famous poets, left portions of their estate to local charities they loved, ensuring their legacy made a difference.

You don’t need to be a celebrity to do the same — even a small gift can make a big impact for a charity or organisation that means something to you. Adding a charitable legacy to your Will is an amazing way to ensure your values live on.

What about you?

As you can see, your Will can be as unique as you are. Whether it’s caring for loved ones, planning a quirky legacy, or just ensuring your wishes are respected, a Will is your chance to take control.

Do you need to make or update your Will? Please get in touch with Crombie Wilkinson’s Private Client team — we’d love to help you create a plan that’s as special as you are.

To put your Will in place, we have specialist and knowledgeable legal advisors in Will writing at our offices in York, Selby, Malton and Pickering.