Make a Will


Would you consider a gift to St Luke's through your Will?

Making a Will is the simple means - and really the only way - by which you can confidently express your wishes for the on-going use of your property and assets after your death. It is important that your wishes to provide for those people and causes that you have loved and supported during your lifetime can continue. Naturally your first consideration will be to make appropriate provision for your family and special friends. Once those closest to you have been given this priority, you may want to include a gift to causes or organisations that have also been important to you.

If you do not have a Will the State will decide who should benefit from your estate. Importantly, the State cannot give the special gift that you may have wished to give. Only you can do this.

Your Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries are the people and organisations that you want to benefit from your estate. When deciding how you wish your possessions to be distributed in your Will, remember your family comes first. Provide for those you have loved and love you.

Your Will should be revised at least every five years or after some major change in your circumstances. To die without a Will, or with a Will that is no longer relevant, places an unnecessary burden on your family and may mean that your assets are distributed by the State in a way that is contrary to your wishes.

You can provide for the possibility that some of your intended beneficiaries may predecease you by naming an organisation, such as St Luke's, as your final beneficiary able to receive the residue of the estate after all specific bequests have been distributed.

Or, if you would like to ensure the organisation you have supported throughout your lifetime receives at least a specific sum or share of your estate, then this benefit should be included in your Will. If you have an affinity for a particular area of St Luke's work you can specify this in your Will.

You might give consideration to the fact that any specific amounts you nominate may be worth only a fraction of their current value when they are finally distributed. You can provide for this by thinking in terms of percentages of your estate.

A Professional Legal Adviser Can Assist

Your Will should be made in consultation with a solicitor or trustee company. Your professional adviser will ensure that your wishes are clearly expressed and that your intentions can be fulfilled legally.

This information is provided as a guide only. All persons are advised to seek independent legal advice in relation to their Wills and individual circumstances.

Should you wish to explore this matter with St Luke's, please call our main office on 03.5440 1100 or email  info@stlukes.org.au