A bequest or ‘Gift in Will’ is the donation you make when you include the Property Industry Foundation in your Will.

Not at all. Many everyday Australians include charitable gifts in their Wills. They know they can look after both their loved ones and the causes that have been important during their lifetime.

Every gift – no matter its size, will help us continue our work to prevent, treat and beat stroke.

Your Will records your wishes at a particular point in time. It is advisable to regularly review your Will to ensure that it still accords with your wishes and deals effectively with your assets. There are also certain life events which should trigger a review of your Will such as the birth of a child or grandchild, marriage, divorce or the death of a beneficiary. If your current Will still reflects most of your wishes, and you simply wish to make some additions or small changes, your solicitor can help you create a Codicil. It’s important to consult your solicitor to ensure the original Will is not affected.

There are a number of ways you can include a gift to the Stroke Foundation in your Will:

• A percentage or share of your estate (residual legacy)
• A specific sum of money (pecuniary legacy)
• Property
• Shares
• The whole of your estate

Make sure you speak to your solicitor about which option will best suit you.

Of course, we understand that taking care of your loved ones must come first.

Yes, we recommend that you let your loved ones know about your gift so they understand why making a difference in the life of a homeless young Australian is important to you. It will also help ensure your final wishes are fulfilled.

Your generous gift will go to the area of most need at the time. This could be the build or refurbishment of homes for homeless youth or funding a systemic change initiative or program. If you would like your gift to go towards something specific, please contact us to discuss this. It’s worth remembering though that most gifts in Wills aren’t received for many years so if you include a general gift it means we can fund the most critical work at that time.

Not usually, although your bequest may be exempt from capital gains tax (CGT) if it includes shares, property, or other assets that are liable for CGT. Talk to your solicitor and financial adviser to find out how this may apply to you.

If you do choose to share your intentions with us you can also request your gift remain anonymous after it has been received.

It is not necessary to let us know about your intentions. However, we would welcome the opportunity to thank you for your gift during your lifetime. As a Gift in Will donor, you will be invited to attend special Foundation events and receive news updates.

You can change your will at any time, and you should do so when your circumstances change. For small changes, you will need to make a codicil. For any major changes, making a new Will is best.

To be valid a Will must:

• Be in writing (whether handwritten, typed or printed).
• Be signed; and
• Your signature must be witnessed by two other people who also need to sign the will.

A will is a legal document that outlines who will receive your property and possessions when you die. A valid Will is important if you have family or other people that financially depend on you.