How to Leave a Bequest

Leaving a Bequest

A bequest to Australia’s oceans is a gift you leave in your Will, and can be a reflection of your values and your legacy. It’s made after your loved ones have been looked after, and can take many forms depending on your wishes and circumstances. By creating your Ocean Legacy with AMCS, you will join a powerful community of Australians, protecting the treasures of life from the crises afflicting our marine biodiversity. 

Read our Gift In Will Brochure below to learn how your love of the ocean can inspire your legacy. 

If you’d like to receive our Gift in Will pack in the mail, or have any questions, please email [email protected], or fill out our confidential form. A member of our friendly team will contact you shortly. 

 

Download Booklet

 

How to Leave a Gift in your Will to AMCS

 Below is a clear, step by step guide to help you create your Ocean Legacy, and protect the ocean you love. 

1. Decide what type of gift you’d like to leave in your Will

After your loved ones are taken care of, you can choose the type of bequest that suits you best:

  • Residual gift – A percentage of your estate, you can leave any amount you want from 1% to 100%..
  • Specific gift – a nominated amount of money, property, or shares.
  • Whole Estate gift 

If you are unsure what type of gift suits your situation best, you should seek legal advice from a solicitor.

2. Seek legal advice about your Will 

Your Will is an important and telling document, and it is necessary for Wills to comply with a number of legal requirements. It is therefore advisable that you consult a solicitor or the Office of the Public Trust. If you don’t leave a Will, your estate will be allocated according to state laws and if there is no Next of Kin, your estate will go to the government. 

You can also consider creating a free Will online with our partner, EveryWill by Gathered Here. 

3. Create your Ocean Legacy by Naming AMCS as a beneficiary

To be sure your gift will reach AMCS, please use our full name, AUSTRALIAN MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY INCORPORATED, and ABN: 53 409 718 351.

Suggested wording for your Will

Your solicitor will recommend appropriate wording. If necessary, ask your solicitor to contact us to discuss your wishes. Following are some examples of legally acceptable wording that can be included in your Will.

For residual gift:

“I give the rest and residue of my estate…

For a percentage

of your estate:

“I give a __________% of my estate…

 

To donate a specific sum:

“I give the sum of $_________…to the AUSTRALIAN MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY INCORPORATED (ABN # 53 409 718 351) for its general purposes free of all duties and taxes payable upon or in consequence of my death, and the official receipt of the Treasurer or other authorised person shall be a complete and sufficient discharge for the Executor.”

4. Let us know about your Bequest 

We’d love to hear from you about your gift in Will so that we can welcome you into our exclusive Ocean Legacy Circle, a community of passionate ocean lovers who have chosen to protect Australia’s ocean and marine life for generations to come. Sharing your plans helps us thank you personally, keep you connected to the impact of your future gift, and ensure your wishes are honoured.

You can contact us to share your intentions on [email protected], or fill out our confidential form

Plan for your Future with a Free Will from EveryWill by Gathered Here

To help make the process as easy as possible, AMCS partners with trusted online will provider, EveryWill by Gathered Here, to offer our supporters free and simple online Wills. If you don’t have a Will, now is the perfect time to tick it off your life admin to-do list. It only takes 10 minutes to complete and you’ll receive free and unlimited updates for life.

 

After providing for loved ones, you’ll also have the option to leave a gift/s to charities that you care about. For AMCS, gifts in wills are one of the most powerful ways you can support us. 

 

You can get started today by writing your will for free. 

 

[BUTTON: WRITE MY FREE WILL] 

Need Help or Have a Question? 

If you need any guidance, or would like to inform us of your intentions, you can contact us on [email protected], or call us on (07) 2140 1267.

Your enquiry is completely confidential, and we’re here to help you through every step. You can also view our Frequently Asked Questions below for common enquiries. 

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve already got a Will and want to leave a gift to AMCS in my Will. How do I do this? 

If you already have a Will, you can ask your solicitor to add a short clause to your existing Will that reflects this gift. Please see above examples in Step 3 for suggested wording that you may use, along with our ABN and full name to include. 

When should I update my Will? 

Your Will should be reviewed on a regular basis, particularly when major changes have occurred in your life such as marriage, death of a loved one or a change to the Executor of your Will.

Different financial circumstances or changes in the needs of family members may also need to be taken into consideration.

Can I specify how my gift will be used? 

If yes: You may email us at [email protected] if you’d like to see if it may be possible to direct your gift to a particular area of our work (eg. Plastic Pollution, Offshore Oil and Gas, etc), but, we recommend saying it is for General Purposes, allowing AMCS to direct your legacy where  it is most needed.

Can I remain anonymous? 

Yes, your bequest can be kept private if that is your wish. 

Will my family still be looked after? 

Yes, as specified in your Will, a gift to AMCS is only made after all other commitments and loved ones are taken care of. 

Can I change my Will later? 

Yes, you can amend or remove a Gift in your Will at any time if your circumstances change. 

How do I choose an executor?

Your executor will oversee the execution of your will. This person needs to be willing, trustworthy, reliable and likely to survive you. You should discuss your wishes in depth with your executor once your will is confirmed (and when any changes are made) to ensure that they are clearly understood and to avoid any misconstrued intentions.

If you’d like to learn more about including an Ocean Legacy in your Will, please contact us.

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