Leave a Gift in Your Will

There are several ways you can direct gifts in your estate. After taking care of your loved ones you may then consider including a charitable gift that best suits your circumstances. 

Here are some of the most common gift types? 

• Percentage: a percentage of either your entire estate or the residue. 

• Residuary: the remainder of your estate after all your other wishes have been fulfilled and expenses met. 

• Pecuniary: A set sum of money. 

• Specific gift: A non-monetary gift such as property, stocks or shares. 

The St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland (SVDP QLD) recommends leaving a percentage gift as it allows you to prioritise what matters most to you. You can allocate a percentage of your estate to be gifted per beneficiary, and the gift will automatically adjust in response to inflation and as your asset changes in value. St Vincent de Paul Society is grateful for any gift you decide to leave, as a gift of just 1% of your estate can make an incredible impact on Queenslanders facing hardship for generations to come. 

It’s important to note that superannuation and life insurance do not automatically form part of your Estate. We recommend speaking to your solicitor or legal professional about making appropriate arrangements if you would like to include them. 

It is recommended to consult a solicitor or legal professional to write or change your Will as it ensures your Will is complete and lawful. Using a solicitor mitigates the risk of minor errors, ambiguous language, or overlooked considerations that could prevent your wishes from being fulfilled. 

Suggested Will wording for your solicitor 

Please consult with your solicitor to include the following clause:  

“I give [insert % of estate, specific monetary sum or item] to St Vincent De Paul Society Queensland ABN 14 211 506 904 for its general charitable purposes.   

In relation to that gift, I declare that a general charity intent applies, a receipt signed by a person authorised by St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland shall constitute a full and sufficient discharge to my Executors and my Executors are not obliged to see or enquire into the application of the subject matter of the gift made by me.”   

Online Will platforms are also becoming more popular. If you choose to make a Will online, be sure you choose a provider that includes a review of your Will by an Australian legal professional. Some well-known providers are Gathered Here and Safewill, but we recommend researching which provider best fits your needs.

Your Will becomes valid once it’s signed by you and legally witnessed. Your solicitor can advise you on who can legally witness the signing of your Will as per the laws in your State. 

Your solicitor may advise where to keep your Will, usually somewhere locked, fireproof and safe. 

Yes, you can. However, we recommend expressing it as a wish, not a condition, as circumstances may change over time. 

Absolutely! Every single gift, regardless of size, helps us provide support to those experiencing hardship and poverty, breaking the cycle of poverty in the long term. 

Contact us on 07 3010 1000 if you'd like to discuss your donation further.

At this time, we do not offer a free wills service, but we hope to provide this in the future. 

Rest assured that all bequests are administered by our in-house legal department. This ensures that your gift is utilised according to your specific intentions. 

However, we recommend expressing it as a wish, not a condition, as circumstances may change over time. 

After providing for your loved ones, you can include a gift in your will to St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland in several ways: 

• through a percentage of your estate, 
• the residual amount after specific gifts have been distributed, 
• a specific monetary gift, 
• or through valuable assets such as property, shares, or bonds. 

Contact us on 07 3010 1000 if you'd like to discuss your donation further.

We encourage you to let us know if you've gifted the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland in your will. This allows us to update you on the impact of your generosity and the difference you're making in our community. 

To notify us of a gift being left in your will, please contact us on 07 3010 1000.

Yes, the most cost-effective way to include us in your will is to contact your solicitor and add a codicil, which is a legal amendment to your existing will.

To notify us of a gift being left in your will, please contact us on 07 3010 1000.