Getting started with a gift in Will
If you decide to leave a gift in your Will to Macular Disease Foundation Australia, you are joining a family of honoured supporters that we call Visionary Partners.
Leaving a gift in your Will is not difficult. But we do recommend that you seek advice and speak to your family before you begin.
If you already have a Will
You can simply add a codicil, which is a short legal amendment, to your existing Will. Again, your solicitor or the Public Trustee can help. You won’t need to rewrite your entire Will.
We know that family members and loved ones come first.
We encourage you to discuss your decision to leave a gift in your Will to MDFA with your family before you proceed.
Types of gifts
Residual gifts
- This is the most effective way to leave a gift in your Will. With this type of gift, MDFA will receive the balance of the estate after those specifically named in the Will have been provided for.
A percentage gift
- Leaving a percentage of your estate allows you to decide what proportion of your estate you would like to provide as a gift in your Will. Giving this way enables you to share your estate among several people or organisations, without specifying the property or amounts. It’s the best way to make sure your loved ones, and the causes you care about, are looked after in accordance with your wishes.
A pecuniary gift
- This is a fixed sum of money to be bequeathed to MDFA.
A specific gift
- This type of gift enables you to leave a specified cash amount, property, stocks and shares or other items of value to MDFA.
Wording for your Will
If you have chosen to leave a gift in your Will to MDFA, we suggest you provide your solicitor or the Public Trustee with the following wording:
“I give and bequeath to Macular Disease Foundation Australia, Mezzanine level, 383 Kent Street Sydney NSW 2000, ABN 52 096 255 177: [a percentage / specified sum or piece of property / my whole estate / the residue of my whole estate] to be used for its [general purposes / research purposes] and I further direct that the said bequest shall be paid free of all taxes and duties and for which the receipt of the Treasurer or other officer shall be sufficient discharge to my Executor.”
If you’ve decided to leave a gift in your Will, please let us know of your decision. Telling us about your decision to leave a bequest to MDFA allows us to enrol you in our Visionary Partners program. It also helps us to keep you informed about our work and how your legacy gift will impact the macular disease community.
This doesn’t alter your right to change or update your wishes, if your circumstances change. But it does help us to recognise your support, plan for the future, and ensure your wishes are carried out to the best of our ability.
More questions?
Contact us – we’d be happy to help. You can call the National Helpline on 1800 111 709 and ask for the Supporter Care team, or email us.
