Weird Probate Issues Part 7: Wills That Made People Smile

Updated: 19 October 2026

By Rod Genders | Genders and Partners

Here is another instalment of our popular series covering weird Wills, problematic probates, and the occasional disturbing departure from this world. If the following examples provoke a smile, they are intended to. But as always, behind the humour lies a serious point: Wills are legal documents, and their consequences can outlast the amusement by many years.

1. Hello, Sue

Anthony Scott, in his Will, addressed his first wife as follows: “To my first wife Sue, whom I always promised to mention in my Will. Hello Sue.” The bequest consisted of the greeting alone. Whether Sue was amused is not recorded. Whether she had a family provision claim under Part 5 of the Succession Act 2023 (SA) is a more interesting question.

2. Proper Conditions

The Will of one Edith S of Walsall left £50,000 to each of her children, Roger, Helen, and Patricia, on the condition that their inheritance not be spent on “slow horses and fast women, and only a very small amount on booze.” Conditions of this kind are, in Australian law, unenforceable for vagueness. The children would take the gifts free of the condition.

3. Drunk Lawyers?

A Will submitted for probate in the United Kingdom contained a legacy to the “Royal Society for the Prevention of Birds.” Another Will, from one Frank Clifford, included a legacy to the “Royal Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals.” Neither organisation exists, though the intended recipients were presumably identifiable by the court. The lesson: proof-read your Will carefully before execution.

4. A Majestic Claim

Charles P of Bangor, North Wales, left a Will in which he “abdicated the title of King Charles I of Wales, which I claimed in 1977.” One can only imagine the probate commissioner’s expression.

5. The Lifeboat Booze-Up

Roger Morris of Penzance left £250 in his Will “to be spent on a booze-up for the members and helpers of the Penlee lifeboat crew.” A perfectly legitimate testamentary gift, and arguably one of the more cheerful bequests in the entire Weird Probate series.

6. A Mother’s Love

Sara Clarke of Bournemouth directed in her Will: “To my daughter, I leave £1 — for the kindness and love she has never shown me.” Such a bequest may, in South Australia, constitute grounds for a family provision claim under Part 5 of the Succession Act 2023 (SA), if the daughter is an “eligible person” who has not been adequately provided for. However, the evidence of the relationship would presumably count against her.

7. Thermal Underwear for the Jesuits

West Yorkshire woman Rosaleen S left £500 in her Will “to the Stonyhurst Jesuits for the purchase of thermal underwear.” A generous and specific bequest. The Jesuits, one imagines, were grateful, if somewhat warm.

8. Peace and Affluence

“I wish peace and affluence to all my friends, and a piece of effluence to all my enemies.” A memorable turn of phrase, and an entirely valid testamentary sentiment, though perhaps not one a court would enforce literally.

9. One Shilling for Manners

One testator left his employer one shilling, specifically earmarked “to buy a book on manners.” A valid bequest. Whether the employer appreciated the lesson is not recorded.

10. The Return of Jesus Christ

Norman Earnest Digweed directed that his estate of £26,000 be held on trust for eighty years for Jesus Christ, should He return within that time. A substantial number of claimants came forward. The estate ultimately passed to the Crown in 1977, the eighty years having elapsed without a verified claimant. One trusts the Crown put it to good use.

11. Dogs, Cats, and a Fatal Hearse

One cat-loving lady left her whole house to provide for her cat. On the day of her funeral, as her cat sunned itself on the drive, the hearse ran over it. In a further Will, Miss Amy T of Doncaster left £500 to the local RSPCA “to provide Christmas dinners for dogs in their care.” Both are valid charitable bequests under Australian law, though the timing of the first was unfortunate for the cat.

Weird Wills — A Serious Word

Wills can be challenged, and some final instructions are not upheld by a court. Care should be taken. If something in your Will renders it invalid — however inadvertently — you may die intestate. Your estate would then be distributed according to the intestacy provisions of Part 4 of the Succession Act 2023 (SA), without regard to your wishes, your family circumstances, or the particular bequest you had in mind for the Stonyhurst Jesuits.

If you wish to include an unusual clause in your Will, by all means do so — but obtain specialist advice first, to ensure it will be given effect and will not inadvertently undermine the document as a whole.

The Succession Act 2023 (SA) (commenced 1 January 2025) is the governing statute for all Wills, probate, and intestate estates in South Australia. All references to the Wills Act 1936 (SA), the Administration and Probate Act 1919 (SA), and the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act 1972 (SA) in earlier articles in this series should be read as references to the Succession Act 2023 (SA).

Want to Find Out More?

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When it comes to Wills, Probate, Deceased Estates, asset protection and estate planning in Australia, you can trust the oldest law firm in South Australia – Genders & Partners – to guide you through the tough decisions to create the best solution for your individual needs.

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More Wills and Probate Resources

• Wills and Estate Planning | Genders and Partners
• Probate and Estate Administration FAQs | Genders and Partners
• Myths About Probate | Genders and Partners
• Weird Probate Issues Part 6
• Weird Probate Issues Part 8 | Genders and Partners
• How Can I View Someone’s Will? | Genders and Partners

All these and many more wills and probate topics are available for discussion with the oldest law firm in South Australia. Visit our Adelaide Lawyer Blog for more articles.

This article revised and updated 19 October 2026.

Disclaimer: The content of this article is general in nature and is not intended to constitute legal advice. Wills, family provision, and estate planning matters can be complex, and laws and procedures may change over time. You should always seek independent legal advice from a qualified practitioner before making decisions about your estate.