Gift In Your Will

Making a Will is an important part of planning for the future for your family after you have gone.

A Will is a written statement setting out your wishes regarding the distribution of your property, money and possessions after your death and can also incorporate your requests for your funeral arrangements and who is to benefit from your estate.

The total of what you leave behind after you pass, including gifts to charitable organisations, can all be outlined in your Will.

Making a Will sets your mind at rest that you have taken care of your affairs and that your intentions for your estate are clear. A Will helps remove any burden of decision making from your family and loved ones, especially during a time of mourning and grief.

A bequest to the Pancare Foundation can be made by creating a new Will, adding a codicil to your existing Will or including Pancare Foundation in your revocable trust.

It is very important that the wording in your bequest is very specific. It is always preferable to seek advice from a solicitor.

Following is a guide to the correct wording to use when leave a bequest to the Pancare Foundation…

A bequest to the Pancare Foundation can be made by creating a new Will, adding a codicil to your existing Will or including Pancare Foundation in your revocable trust.

It is very important that the wording in your bequest is very specific. It is always preferable to seek advice from a solicitor.

Following is a guide to the correct wording to use when leave a bequest to the Pancare Foundation…

I bequeath to the Pancare Foundation Inc., a non-profit organization (Victoria Consumer Affairs Registration No: 12946), registered to 48 Bell Street, Heidelberg Heights, Victoria, 3081 the sum of $_________ (insert here a percentage or dollar amount) of the residue of my estate, free of all duties and deductions to advance the work of the Pancare Foundation to be used for its general purpose. An official receipt from Pancare Foundation shall be deemed sufficient proof of discharge.

Specific/Restricted Bequest

I hereby give to the Pancare Foundation Inc, a non-profit organization (Victoria Consumer Affairs Registration No: 12946), registered to 48 Bell Street, Heidelberg Heights, Victoria, 3081 the sum of $__________, of the residue of my estate, free of all duties and deductions to be used for the following purpose (e.g. Patient Support, Research, Advocacy).

If, in the opinion of the Pancare Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, the need for funds for the purpose described above no longer exists, at some future date the Board of Directors, are authorised to use these funds in the best interests of Pancare Foundation in a manner that will most nearly accomplish my wishes. An official receipt shall be deemed proof of discharge.

We appreciate everyone’s support and generosity, no matter the size – or way – in which we receive it. As a guide, you can arrange your gift a few different ways…

A pecuniary legacy means a gift of a specific sum of money or item.

A residuary legacy means leaving all or a proportion of whatever remains of your estate after all other gifts, debts and liabilities have been paid out.

A specific legacy means leaving to the Pancare Foundation something that you would like someone else to have use of for their lifetime – for example, a house, money invested in a trust, or even stocks and shares.

You must be over 18 years of age for a Will to be valid.

Make your intentions clear. If you are ambiguous, your Will may be open to dispute.

Your Will must be in writing (handwritten, typed or printed).

Your Will must be signed by the Will-maker and two or more witnesses in a specific way (all using the same pen). The Will must be dated and each page signed.

Make sure you adequately provide for dependents. Dependents not adequately provided for can challenge your Will.

Review your Will each time your circumstances change and if you acquire or dispose of a major asset.

If in doubt, it is always preferable to seek legal advice.

Keep your Will in a safe place and tell your executor where it is.

If you are planning to leave a gift to the Pancare Foundation, please let us know so we can personally acknowledge and thank you.

I have already made my Will but I would like to change it to leave a bequest to the Pancare Foundation. What should I do?
If you have a limited change to your Will you don’t need to start all over again. You can do so by adding a codicil. A codicil is an instruction that is added to your existing Will and in effect becomes part of that Will (for example, what percentage of your estate you would like to go to Pancare Foundation). The codicil can be short, however it needs to be properly drawn up by a legal practitioner or Trustee Company and be witnessed by two independent witnesses.

Can I leave money to a specific program or service of the Pancare Foundation?
As Pancare Foundation programs change and needs shift, it is always best to designate your gift to “where it is needed most” thereby ensuring your legacy will be as far-reaching and effective as possible.

However, if you feel strongly about leaving it to one of our three main areas of focus – Patient Support, Research or Advocacy – you can do so by stipulating this in your Will while incorporating a disclaimer that if, in the opinion of the Pancare Foundation Inc. Board of Directors, the need for funds for the purpose described no longer exists, at some future date the Board of Directors, are authorised to use these funds in the best interests of Pancare Foundation in a manner that will most nearly accomplish my wishes.

What kind of legacy is most useful to the Pancare Foundation?
We appreciate everyone’s support and generosity, no matter the size – or way – in which we receive it. As a guide, you can arrange your gift a few different ways…

A pecuniary legacy means a gift of a specific sum of money or item

A residuary legacy means leaving all or a proportion of whatever remains of your estate after all other gifts, debts and liabilities have been paid out

A specific legacy means leaving to the Pancare Foundation something that you would like someone else to have use of for their lifetime – for example, a house, money invested in a trust, or even stocks and shares.

How can I ensure that my gift leaves a lasting legacy in my name?
Informing us of your decision to leave a bequest or that you have already done so, allows us to thank you in person and also notify your family after you have passed on about how we have utilised the funds and what effect they have had on those affected by pancreatic, liver, biliary, oesophageal and stomach cancers.

The information you provide us can also be held strictly private and confidential should you wish.

To find out more about leaving us a gift in your Will or to ask a question on anything related to legacy giving, from writing a Will to administering an estate, contact our Legacy Coordinator at:

Pancare Foundation

Attention: Sonia Mursec
PO Box 133
Heidelberg Vic 3084
Ph: 1300 881 698
Email: info@pancare.org.au

Are gifts in Wills to a charity tax efficient?
The law that applies to the assets and income of a deceased person depends on which State or Territory of Australia the deceased person lived in when they died. You can find more information about the inheritance laws that apply in your State or Territory by contacting the relevant Public Trustees Office.

As a general rule however, you can make tax deductible gifts or donations to organisations that have the status of deductible gift recipients (DGRs) – which the Pancare Foundation does.

To find out the ATO’s relevant gift conditions for DGRs, click here.

The information contained on this page is of a general nature only. You should always consult a solicitor for legal advice on specific circumstances and facts.

Not sure where to start? Public/State Trustees in Australia are established by state/territory legislation to provide a range of trustee services and products to their respective communities and in some cases to their governments.

• Public Trustees Australia
• Public Trustee for the ACT
• NSW Trustee and Guardian
• NT Public Trustee – Community Services Division
• QLD Public Trustees
• SA Public Trustee
• TAS Public Trustee
• VIC State Trustees Limited
• WA Public Trust Office

For all Public Trustee Member organisations by State and Territory click here.

To find out more about leaving us a gift in your Will or to ask a question on anything related to legacy giving, from writing a Will to administering an estate, contact our Legacy Coordinator at:

Pancare Foundation

Attention: Sonia Mursec
PO Box 133
Heidelberg VIC 3084
Ph: 1300 881 698
Email: info@pancare.org.au