Strange inheritances beyond money can lead to unusual estate planning legacies

The most memorable unusual inheritances typically fall into several distinct categories: extraordinarily large bequests to pets or animals, strange conditions placed on inheritors, random selection of beneficiaries or highly unusual assets. These cases often make headlines not just for their peculiarity, but because they challenge legal systems and societal norms about wealth transfer.

The Fox Business Network show "Strange Inheritance," which aired from 2015 to 2018, chronicled numerous fascinating inheritance cases that illustrate the diversity of unusual bequests. From valuable sports memorabilia to entire ghost towns, these real-world examples demonstrate how inheritances often extend far beyond simple monetary value.

For instance, one family inherited Lou Gehrig’s 1928 New York Yankees World Series ring, which the Hall of Famer had given to his driver decades earlier. Another family discovered a collection of pristine early 20th century baseball cards in their great-grandfather's attic, including rare Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner specimens worth millions.

Here are some other examples of unusual inheritances:

• 900-acre bug museum. One episode features a family grappling with the challenge of maintaining and operating a massive 900-acre bug museum they inherited. As can be imagined, this peculiar legacy presents both opportunities and difficulties for the beneficiaries.
• Rare 1913 Liberty Head nickel. Another remarkable inheritance story revolves around the discovery of an extremely rare 1913 Liberty Head nickel. The value of this numismatic treasure could potentially reach millions of dollars, depending on its condition, making it an extraordinary windfall for the inheritors.
• Lost Rembrandt painting. Some rather fortunate brothers inherited a small painting from their grandparents that had been sitting in their mother's dining room for years. At an auction, the painting unexpectedly fetched $450,000, revealing itself to be a potential lost Rembrandt masterpiece.
• Massive toy soldier collection. A woman inherited her late husband's collection of over 10,000 toy soldiers, many of them rare and valuable. The entire collection was appraised at approximately $300,000.
• Bonnie and Clyde memorabilia. One family inherited an extensive collection of Western memorabilia, which included guns and personal items belonging to the infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. These items were reportedly taken from the "death car" after the duo was killed by law enforcement.
• World's tallest thermometer. Three sisters inherited an unusual roadside attraction – the world's tallest thermometer located at the entrance to Death Valley. This massive structure, which cost $750,000 to build, came with its own set of maintenance challenges and opportunities.

Pets cannot directly inherit money or property since they are legally considered property themselves, rather than people capable of owning assets. However, there are several legal mechanisms that can ensure pets are cared for after their owner's death. Pet trusts are most common and legally secure way to provide for pets. A pet trust is a legal arrangement that:

• Sets aside specific funds for the pet's care.
• Names a trustee to manage the money.
• Designates a caregiver for the pet.
• Provides detailed care instructions.
• Specifies what happens to remaining funds after the pet's death.

The realm of pet inheritances provides some of the most fascinating examples of unusual bequests. While the late New York real estate magnate Leona Helmsley's $12 million trust for her Maltese dog Trouble (later reduced to $2 million) is widely known, it represents just one example in a long history of generous pet provisions.

German countess Carlotta Liebenstein's multi-million dollar bequest to her German Shepherd, Gunther III, created a dynasty of canine wealth. The fortune, professionally managed, has actually grown through investments, with Gunther VI (the original dog's heir) now worth an estimated $400 million. This case demonstrated how pet trusts can be structured for long-term sustainability.

The late fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who died in 2019, left a significant portion of his fortune for the care of his beloved cat, Choupette. Before his death, Lagerfeld ensured Choupette would maintain her luxurious lifestyle by establishing a team of personal maids; special dietary requirements; private medical care arrangements; and provisions for a continued social media presence.

The historical record is rich with bizarre conditions placed on inheritances, and contemporary cases continue to emerge. Consider the case of Wellington Burt, a Michigan lumber baron worth tens of millions of dollars, who left behind perhaps history's most notorious "spite will" when he died in 1919. Frustrated with his family and determined to skip generations, Burt specified that the bulk of his fortune could only be distributed 21 years after his last grandchild's death. This unusual condition meant that most of his millions sat in trust for 92 years until being distributed in 2011, when 12 descendants split $110 million. The case became a landmark example of how testators can extend control over their wealth long after death. Burt's decision spawned multiple legal challenges and created a complex web of trust management issues over nearly a century.

In 1992, a successful German businessman left his heirs significant fortunes – with a weighty catch. Male heirs had to maintain their weight under 175 pounds, while female heirs needed to stay under 145 pounds. The will specified annual medical check-ups and weight verifications. Overweight heirs would lose their annual payments unless they dropped the excess pounds within one year.

This case highlighted several legal issues:

• Privacy concerns regarding medical information.
• Questions about discrimination based on physical characteristics.
• Challenges in long-term enforcement.
• Considerations of temporary medical conditions affecting weight.

Modern courts generally try to honor testators' wishes while ensuring basic fairness and legality. Key considerations include:

• Public policy. Conditions cannot violate fundamental rights or discriminate based on protected characteristics.
• Practicality. Requirements must be possible to fulfill and verify.
• Reasonableness. Conditions should not be excessively restrictive or punitive.
• Time limits. Some jurisdictions limit how long conditions can remain in effect.

While courts generally attempt to honor a deceased person's wishes, certain types of conditions frequently face legal challenges. Understanding these limitations helps explain why some unusual bequests succeed while others fail. One notable example includes the case of Illinois billionaire Max Hopper, who attempted to create a 150-year trust requiring his descendants to keep his name and maintain his business. Courts ultimately modified these requirements as they violated the rule against perpetuities, which limits how long certain conditions can control property.

Similarly, a 2019 case involved a father who left different inheritances to his children based on their IQ scores. The court invalidated this provision, citing discrimination and public policy concerns.

Mental health professionals and estate planning experts have identified several common motivations behind unusual inheritances:

• Control. Attempting to influence beneficiaries' behavior after death.
• Legacy. Creating memorable or impactful final statements.
• Revenge. Using inheritances to settle old scores or express disappointment.
• Eccentricity. Reflecting genuine personality quirks or unusual values.
• Publicity. Seeking posthumous attention or notoriety.

Estate planning has undergone significant changes in recent years, driven by technological advancement, environmental consciousness and changing social priorities. Today's estate planners face novel challenges as they help clients in these emerging areas while helping to ensure their wishes remain legally enforceable and practically manageable.

In the realm of digital assets, estate planning has become increasingly complex. Cryptocurrency holdings present unique challenges, requiring specific provisions for transferring private keys and wallet access while maintaining security. Some testators have created elaborate "digital treasure hunts" where heirs must solve puzzles or meet certain conditions to gain access to crypto wallets. Social media accounts and digital content now represent both sentimental and potential monetary value, leading to detailed provisions for their management or memorialization after death.

The challenge of transferring digital assets extends beyond cryptocurrency. Online businesses, domain names, digital art collections (including NFTs) and valuable gaming accounts all require specialized planning. Some testators have created detailed digital asset inventories with specific instructions for each platform, including login credentials, account recovery procedures and desired post-death management strategies.

Environmental consciousness has spawned a new category of inheritance conditions. Some wealthy individuals now require their heirs to maintain specific carbon footprint levels or invest in renewable energy projects. Others have created elaborate trust structures that tie inheritance distributions to environmental stewardship goals. For example, one West Coast tech entrepreneur required his children to maintain certified organic farming practices on inherited agricultural land, while another tied trust distributions to documented reduction in personal carbon emissions.

Estate planners must now consider how these modern trends interact with traditional inheritance law principles. They must balance innovative provisions with practical enforceability while ensuring compliance with evolving legal frameworks. This often requires collaboration with technical experts, environmental consultants, and educational specialists to create workable implementation strategies.

The world of unusual inheritances continues to evolve, reflecting changing societal values, technological advancement and individual creativity. From Wellington Burt's historic spite will to modern digital asset bequests, these cases demonstrate how inheritance can extend far beyond simple wealth transfer. While courts generally aim to honor testators' wishes, they must balance personal freedom with legal principles and practical considerations.