Gifts in your Will

Your last word is significant. Download our information brochure and take the first step towards securing your legacy.

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All types of people leave gifts in their Will to Australian Marist Solidarity. They come from a wide range of backgrounds and from across our nation. What they all have in common is a generous spirit and the desire to make a positive impact in their community. We thank each and every one of them for their kindness and thoughtfulness.

Not everyone who leaves a gift in their Will to Australian Marist Solidarity has been a long-time supporter of our work. Even if you have been unable to donate during your lifetime, you can still support Australian Marist Solidarity by leaving a gift in your Will.

“I invite you to remember Australian Marist Solidarity and we will ensure your legacy improves the education possibilities for young people on the margins of life across Asia and The Pacific”. – Peter Sheehan, AMS Board Chairman

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Leave a bequest

A bequest (also known as a legacy) is a gift of money or assets that you leave through your Will. Bequests are critical to Australian Marist Solidarity and the people we support. They enable us to safeguard our vital community support services, ensuring we can restore dignity to the lives of marginalised children and youth across Asia and the Pacific by providing access to basic healthcare and educational opportunities.

By leaving a gift in your Will to Australian Marist Solidarity you will be providing young people, struggling families and people on the margins an opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to exercise them.

There are several types of bequests. Some are specified amounts of money, items of property or stocks and shares. Other bequests may be a percentage of an estate or the remainder of an estate once family, friends and taxes are taken care of.

Your Will

Most of us are familiar with the reasons to have a valid Will, but around 1 in 2 Australians just never get around to it.

Sadly, we all know that an accident or an illness can occur at any time to anyone. Death is one of the few certainties of this world and when it occurs a Will can help make things easier for those you care about.

Everyone needs a Will

Everyone needs a Will to ensure that their spouse or partner, children, dependent persons, or other people for whom they care for are properly provided for and assets are distributed according to the wishes of the Will maker.

Everyone should carefully review their Will from time to time, particularly if their circumstances change.

The best way to arrange leaving a bequest to Australian Marist Solidarity is to speak with a solicitor. They can ensure your estate is distributed in a way that meets your wishes. How you choose to leave a bequest depends on your personal preference or circumstances.

As a guide, the most common types of bequests include:

Residuary 

This gift consists of the remainder of your estate once your family and friends have been provided for and any taxes and charges are settled.

Percentage/fractional

This is a gift in the form of a specified percentage of your estate.

Specific/pecuniary

This is a gift in the form of a specified amount of money, item of property or stocks and shares.

Some people like to give a combination of two or more of these types of bequests. Regardless of the method you choose, Australian Marist Solidarity is very grateful for any support you can provide.

Your solicitor can also create a Will for you or update your existing Will to include a gift to Australian Marist Solidarity with the appropriate wording.

If you wish to choose an alternative method, please discuss this with your solicitor. If you don’t have a solicitor, the Law Council of Australia website can provide suitable direction.

We have provided the three most effective wording options for including a bequest in a Will – either your own or that of a family or friend or, if you are a solicitor, a client.

• Learn more about wording a bequest

Often people choose to commemorate the life of a loved one by asking for donations rather than flowers at the funeral or memorial service. Organising the funeral of a loved one can be immensely stressful and Australian Marist Solidarity is indebted to those who choose to ask for donations to be given to charity at this time.

Most funeral directors will help you collect donations in lieu of flowers by contacting us for a supply of special donation envelopes that will be available at the funeral. Alternatively, we can send these directly to a family member. We will send a letter and receipt to every person who makes an In Memoriam donation.

An acknowledgement letter will be sent to the family, along with the names of people who made a donation. If you wish to receive In Memoriam donations when you pass away, it may be helpful to inform your friends and family, executor or include instructions in your Will.

Please complete this form so that we can thank you for your gift personally.

If you, a family member, friend or client decides to leave a bequest to Australian Marist Solidarity, please notify us via the online form below, so that we can personally offer our heartfelt thanks.

All fields marked with * are required. Alternatively, you can complete the form on the last page of our brochure and mail it in.