Why Make a Bequest?
A bequest acknowledges the important role that the SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated (SESVA) plays in supporting State Emergency Service (SES) Volunteers who assist the community during natural and manmade disasters. Your gift will enable their support of the Community for future generations.
Bequests help the SESVA to provide SES Volunteers with essential support in many ways both material and other support services. Your legacy, large or small, will make a lasting difference.
What is a Bequest?
A bequest is a gift left to a beneficiary in an individual’s Will. Making a bequest is simple. You can either make changes to your Will or add a Codicil to your Will with the help of your solicitor.
It is important to seek the advice of a solicitor to ensure that the wording of your Will or Codicil reflects your exact wishes and to:
- ensure that your family, friends, and the charities you wish to assist are identified
- tell your loved ones and share your vision with them
- choose the type of bequest you wish to leave to the SESVA
- visit your solicitor to have your Will or Codicil prepared or updated
Types of Bequests
- percentage of the total value of an estate
- residuary bequest (the remainder of the estate once all legacies, other bequests and costs have been paid)
- specified sum (a pecuniary bequest)
- asset such as real estate, shares and/or culturally significant works of art, or proceeds from the sale of assets.
Unrestricted or unspecified gifts to the SESVA may be allocated to the area of greatest priority by the SESVA at the time the bequest is realised. Unrestricted bequests are highly valued as they can be applied to the changing needs of SES Volunteers well into the future.
Bequest Example Wording
To the SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated
“I give to SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated absolutely free of all probate estate and other duties *I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other duly authorised officer of the SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated be accepted by my Trustee/s as a sufficient discharge of the same.”
To the SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated for a specified purpose
“I give to SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated absolutely free of all probate estate and other duties * to be used for the purpose of * and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other duly authorized officer SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated as a sufficient discharge of the same. However, if circumstances change and my wishes cannot be fulfilled, I direct that the SES Volunteers Association of Western Australia Incorporated allocate the bequest in such a manner as best approximates my wishes.”
*Please insert description of bequest/gift and purpose
Disclaimer
It is recommended that expert financial assistance should be obtained from a licensed financial planner or accountant in relation to estate planned and taxation matters and from a solicitor to assist in the preparation of a Will, so that each person’s individual circumstances and the law applicable at the time can be properly considered. Nothing contained in this document constitutes legal advice nor should any part of this document be relied upon as providing any type of legal advice of any nature whatsoever.
