Back in 1937, a man named Frank Smith wrote a non-negotiable clause in his will. He pledged to leave all his remaining possessions to his daughter — but only if she threw out her 'immoral husband' and prevented him benefitting from the inheritance.
If she refused, Smith said, the money should go to the Exchequer.
Legal firms have seen a rise in such 'trust clauses', or conditions specifying when an inheritance is paid, as parents and grandparents attempt to control their wealth from beyond the grave.
Experts say soaring property prices, longer lifespans and a rise in second and third marriages are fuelling the trend.
Many conditions are typical. Parents might state an inheritance will only be given if it is spent on property or education, or their children can only touch it from a certain age.
This is known as a bare trust and is one of the most common clauses.
Carl Christensen, from freewills.co.uk, also regularly sees people leave wealth or property to their surviving spouse, but on the condition the money is repaid to the estate if they remarry or live with another partner.
However, some stipulations are more unusual. Mr Christensen says a recent will stated no inheritance would be given to four grandchildren until they were baptised.
They were in line for around £20,000 each, but he says some of them are not yet baptised and are not keen on the prospect.
One man even left himself £100,000 should he be reincarnated — although it is unclear how he would prove his identity and claim his money should he return.
Elaine Roche, director of Solicitors for the Elderly and a partner at Kuits Solicitors, says she arranged a will in which a nephew would only get his inheritance from a childless relative if he changed his name by deed poll to continue the family name.
A rise in DIY will-writing services has made it easier for people to include wackier clauses, but solicitors say there is also a growing trend for more traditional conditions, particularly where children are concerned.
Ashleigh Kelly, from Slater Heelis Solicitors, says: 'Parents often feel the importance of their children being ready to receive a large sum of money and to have the means to manage it sensibly and effectively.'
Typically, parents who delay their children's inheritance state they can only have the money when they reach 21 or 25, but this can also stretch to middle age.
In some cases, the money may only be released if the beneficiaries achieve certain life goals, such as buying a home, setting up a business and getting married. Legacies are also often left for friends and neighbours on the condition they care for pets.