Don’t Make the Same Mistake As KFC

Are you a KFC fan? We bet you are!

KFC has been in this world for years now, and almost everyone loves its food. But they are only super popular for their fried chicken. Hence, the name “KFC – Kentucky Fried Chicken.”

It was Colonel Sanders, the brand’s founder, who made the popular mixture of herbs and spices that made KFC taste like the delicious treat that it is. This secret recipe is guarded by motion sensors and cameras around a 770-pound safe surrounded by two feet of concrete.

However, the latest news by the New York Times states that this secret recipe was revealed to the people. It was part of the last Will and testament of the second wife of Colonel Sanders.

Let’s read a story now!

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A Recipe Creating Chaos

The Chicago Tribune reporter, Jay Jones, took by rail to Corbin, Kentucky, in search of content for a piece about the town where the famous fried chicken came into origin. He organized a meeting with Joe Ledington, Sanders’ nephew.

Ledington shared an old scrapbook belonging to Claudia Ledington, Sanders’ second wife, who passed away in 1996. This scrapbook contained her last Will and Testament with the handwritten recipe for spices. There were 11 spices and herbs that were used to make none other than the spice rub for the famous crispy chicken. This was the same recipe locked in an 800-pound safe.

The Will contained the recipe written down in clear handwriting at the back, with precise amounts of each ingredient. The Chicago Tribune even tried a batch of this recipe for themselves, and the flavor was reportedly very close to the original Kentucky Fried Chicken flavor, although the parent company, “Yum Foods” denied its authenticity. This scenario demonstrates the fact that even the best safeguarded secrets may be exposed when estate planning is not done carefully.

The Twist to the Story

Yum Foods, the parent company owning KFC, denies the accuracy of the recipe. The recipe mentioned in the Will is as follows:

• 2/3 tablespoon salt

• 1/2 tablespoon thyme

• 1/2 tablespoon basil

• 1/3 tablespoon oregano

• 1 tablespoon celery salt

• 1 tablespoon black pepper

• 1 tablespoon dried mustard

• 4 tablespoons paprika

• 2 tablespoons garlic salt

• 1 tablespoon ground ginger

• 3 tablespoons white pepper

All these ingredients need to be mixed with 2 cups of flour. But do you think it’s safe to say that the original recipe hasn’t really leaked yet?‍

A Different Angle to the Story

Now, let’s look at this story from an estate planning perspective. There’s nothing wrong with passing down secret recipes to your successors. But if you plan on managing hundreds of franchise restaurants like the big giant KFC, you'd better plan things well.

Billions of dollars of revenue are at stake when such a recipe is revealed. KFC was already a successful giant when Claudia Ledington passed away. Perhaps, instead of leaving the handwritten recipe in the scrapbook, she should’ve rewritten it clearly, sealed it in a formal document, or kept it hidden in a safety box.

For people or companies who have valuable intellectual property, like recipes, professional Will-drafting services such as AasaanWill can help in securing sensitive information by ensuring that the Will is properly worded, has a proper legal standing, and that the document is stored securely. A well-drafted Will, can make it clear that secrets will be held in confidence or allow trusted successors access under certain conditions to such secrets.

Another point to ensure is not to leave your Will and Testament in the same place as the asset. Or else, what is even the point? Would you leave the key to your door lock hung on the door?

For instance, a prominent instance in estate planning law highlights a family battle over a Business owner’s Will being easily accessible alongside business documents, leading to concerns over potential unauthorized access and leaks of trade secrets.

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The Lesson Behind the Story

A lesson to be learned from this story is to create a Will carefully, including all relevant details, and keep it safe. You can consult experts and professionals on this matter for guidance and be extra cautious when it comes to your estate plan. The key is to safeguard important assets and documents so that they don’t fall into the wrong hands.

Whether you write an online Will or a handwritten Will, the key is to make sure that it is safely stored somewhere only a trusted person can access it. You don’t want your secret information leaked, do you?

In many jurisdictions, including India, Handwritten Wills are legally valid, but they must be clearly written, signed appropriately, and witnessed as per law to avoid issues in the future. Handwritten Wills carry a greater risk of ambiguity or misuse in the absence of legal review, which is where the online Will-drafting services like AasaanWill assist by offering proper consultations and drafting services to enhance the legal validity and safety of your Wills.

FAQ REGARDING ESTATE PLANNING and WILL SECURITY

Q: Can the trade secrets of a business be safeguarded by a Will?

A: Businessmen can protect the trade secrets of their business through confidentiality provisions in a Will and by way of establishing trust or binding contracts. Protection can be achieved mainly through the principles of contract law relating to non-disclosure agreements, but remedies for breach of confidentiality also lie under the common Indian laws. Professional services like AasaanWill offer expert Will drafting and secure storage solutions to ensure legal clarity and safeguard sensitive information effectively.

Q: In what ways does professional Will drafting increase the security of an estate?

A: Professional Will drafting, as with AasaanWill, ensures that your Will- covering all assets, including all the intangible assets such as secret recipes, etc. - is clear, legally enforceable, and properly worded. Experts also advise on secure storage and jurisdiction-specific formalities, reducing disputes and protecting your estate’s confidentiality and value effectively.

Q: Are handwritten Wills advisable for complex assets?

A: Although handwritten Wills are legally valid in India if they are entirely handwritten and signed by the testator with intention, they are not usually wise to use for estates with any degree of complexity, such as secrets in business, etc., due to ambiguity. Professional platforms like AasaanWill provide secure, clear, and legally compliant Will-drafting services to protect such intricate assets effectively.

Conclusion

The secret recipe of KFC teaches a very important lesson in estate planning: To secure your valuable resources, including intellectual ones such as recipes, you have to plan thoroughly and professionally and store your Will safely. Be it your personal secrets or the business having important information, to ensure your legacy is not lost or shared accidentally or in controversy, it is important to employ professional Will-drafting services such as AasaanWill. Plan wisely, store securely, and consult trusted advisors and professionals to ensure your estate plan truly protects what matters most.