Bequests have played a vital role in enabling DWDV to pursue our aims for over 50 years. Leaving a bequest in your Will ensures that we can continue our work, ensuring that all Victorians have the choice of a good, dignified death.
Making a Will ensures your wishes will be followed after your death. It also simplifies things for loved ones at a difficult time. After making provisions to look after family and friends, you may wish to consider leaving a gift to DWDV. This can be a specific amount, a percentage of your total estate, or a residual bequest (a percentage or whole amount of what is left from your estate after any other specific provisions have been met).
When leaving a bequest to DWDV, it is important to include our full name – Dying With Dignity Victoria Inc – and our ABN – 80 591 186 892.
If you have an existing Will, a codicil (amendment to a Will) can be used to make small changes. It must be in writing, explicitly mention the original Will, and be signed by the testator (the person giving the bequest) in the presence of two people who are not beneficiaries. For large changes, a new Will is recommended.
If you don’t have a Will… you need one! This ensures your assets will be distributed according to your wishes after you die. People delay completing a Will for a variety of reasons, so DWDV has partnered with Gathered Here – an Australian platform – to encourage people to complete a simple Will. It’s a completely free, quick way to make a legally binding Will. Click here to go to the Gathered Here website, read on for more information.
Completing a Will using Gathered Here is easy, and only takes around 10-15 minutes. It is a secure, free way to complete a Will – simply fill in your details, print your Will, and sign it with two witnesses. Over 100,000 Australians have used this service. The Will-writing platform is split into six sections.
Step 1: Enter your basic details (name, date of birth, address, etc). You can also nominate guardians for children and pets, if necessary.
Step 2: Appoint your executor(s). You can appoint up to three executors, and also back-up executors in case your primary executor can’t perform their duties.
Step 3: Decide who to leave your Estate to. This section focusses on percentages, rather than specific amounts. The first section allows you to name individuals (family and friends who you wish to leave money to), the second allows you to name any charities or not-for-profits (you can choose from a drop-down list, or add a charity of your choosing – but there is no obligation to include anyone, including DWDV).
Step 4: Determine any specific gifts you wish to leave to people or organisations. This could be money, or something you won, such as a car or artwork.
Step 5: Funeral wishes can be documented in this optional section. You can also request three quotes from local funeral providers, if you wish to preplan your funeral.
Step 6: Gives Will-writers the opportunity to share their personal information with the charities included in their Will.
The completed Will can then be checked, edited if necessary, printed and signed. Gathered Here also offers a bespoke Will-writing service for more complex Wills – a free consultation is available you think this service if needed.
Of course, DWDV appreciates any financial assistance, but there is no obligation to include us. If your circumstances change, Gathered Here Wills can be updated free, for life.
Click here to get started.