Will planning checklist

A checklist for you

Here are some important points to keep in mind when you write or update your Will. 

1. Choose an executor
   • This is the trusted person who will ensure your final wishes are carried out. If you don’t have a suitable nominee, you can appoint a State Trustee or solicitor.  
2. Select your beneficiaries
   • Think about everything you own and decide how these items should be distributed among your beneficiaries. Beneficiaries are the people, causes or organisations who can inherit your belongings and assets.  
3. Decide on your gifts
   • There are several types of gifts you can include for your family, friends and trusted charities like the Leukaemia Foundation. 
     • A fixed sum of money – this is a specific cash amount and is also known as a pecuniary bequest 
     • A percentage of your whole estate 
     • A residual gift – a percentage or the whole of your estate after financial obligations have been met and loved ones are provided for 
     • A fixed specific gift – a gift in the form of other property such as shares or real estate 
   • If you’d like to direct your gift to a specific area of our work, please call Senior Philanthropy Manager, Emma Dwyer on 08 8169 6051 to discuss how this can occur. Note, the more general your gift, the more flexibility we’ll have to invest in the area of greatest need. Please keep in mind these areas may be very different in 10-15 years’ time. 
4.  Write your Will
   • We suggest engaging a solicitor or State Trustee to write your Will. Alternatively, we recommend Australia’s leading online Will-writing platform, Safewill. Safewill covers the basic features of Will writing including executorship, appointing guardians for your children and estate distribution. Every Will is reviewed by their affiliate law firm, Safewill Legal, to ensure it has been filled out correctly. 
5. Signing your Will
   • Sign your Will in front of two witnesses who are over 18 years old and are not beneficiaries. Make sure each page has your complete signature. Everyone should use the same pen to sign and date the last page. 
6. Keep it safe
   • Give your executors a copy of your Will and keep a copy for yourself in a safe place. Let your loved ones know about any charitable gifts so they understand your wishes. The Leukaemia Foundation also welcomes the opportunity to connect your loved ones with our work, so they can understand the value and impact of your future gifts. 
7. Update your Will regularly
   • It’s a good idea to review your Will every few years to ensure it still reflects your wishes. You may need to update this document if a major change occurs in your life such as:
     • Loss of a loved one 
     • Marriage, separation, divorce or remarriage 
     • Birth of children or grandchildren 
     • Retirement 
     • Executor or beneficiaries pass away 
     • Financial circumstances change 

A checklist for your solicitor

Here are some important points to discuss with your solicitor when writing your Will.

1. Discuss provisions for family
   • Discuss provisions for family members, whether dependant or not. The Leukaemia Foundation understands that loved ones come first.  
2. Check the name and address details
   • Please ensure the correct name, ABN and registered address are included for all gifts in the Will:
     • The Leukaemia Foundation of Australia Limited 
     • ABN 57 057 493 017 
     • 41 Peter Doherty Street, Dutton Park QLD 4102, Australia. 

We suggest using the following wording to leave a gift in your Will for the Leukaemia Foundation:

“I give and bequeath free of all duties (here state the amount/percentage or share/residue or assets to be gifted) to THE LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION OF AUSTRALIA LIMITED ABN: 57 057 493 017 absolutely for the general charitable purposes of the said Foundation and I direct that a receipt of the proper officer for the time being of The Leukaemia Foundation of Australia Limited shall be a good and sufficient discharge to my trustee/s.”