Verbally mentioning who house goes to after death

Salaams Muftisaab

During my father inlaws lifetime he mentioned to the family that his house should be given to his wife, he also mentioned to a close cousin of his, that the house is his wifes. The house is on HIS name. Please advise if Islamically the house goes into estate, or can be given/transferred to his wife?

Jazakallah