Making a Will

“I have supported CareFlight for longer than I can remember. I started donating when I started scuba diving and I realised that no matter how well trained the unexpected could happen. I saw my donation as a form of insurance. I urge everyone to look at their daily activities and think what could go wrong. It is because of this I support CareFlight. I support them not only with regular donations but I have included CareFlight in my will. I want to ensure that CareFlight is around to help people long into the future.”

More than half of all Australians are estimated not to have a valid will. Having a will is very important because it ensures that your final wishes are carried out without the intervention of authority.

How do I make a Will?

Please use a professional when making your Will, particularly if you are planning to leave a bequest. Wills are precise legal documents that are meant to determine the disbursement of your property in the way you wish. It may sound simple, but there are many legal pitfalls. To be sure that your assets are distributed the way you wish, always seek professional help to prepare or modify your Will.

What type of Bequests are there?

• A specific bequest is a gift of a particular piece of property, such as a house or jewellery;
• A general bequest is usually a sum of money or a percentage of the value of your estate; and
• A residual bequest includes anything remaining in your estate after specific and general bequests have been paid.

Can I leave something to charity and look after my family as well?

Yes, by leaving a smaller proportion of your estate to CareFlight you can look after your family as well as help save the lives of CareFlight patients in the future.

Should I specify how the proceeds are spent?

CareFlight is committed to leading the world in rapid response critical care. As such, we may in the future need to purchase new technology which is not even envisaged today. For this reason it is generally advisable not to be too specific on how the proceeds of a bequest are spent.

How do I include a bequest to CareFlight in my Will?

If you wish to include a bequest to CareFlight in your Will, we suggest the following wording:

Specific Bequest: I GIVE to CareFlight (NSW) Limited, whose head office is at Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW, (insert specific item to be given) OR the sum of (insert specific amount to be given) for its general purposes. I declare that the receipt of the Chief Executive Officer or other proper officer of CareFlight (NSW) Limited will be a complete discharge for this bequest and my trustee will not be bound to see the application of the bequest.

General or Pecuniary Bequest: I GIVE to CareFlight (NSW) Limited, whose head office is at Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW, the whole OR (insert percentage) of my estate. I declare that the receipt of the Chief Executive Officer or other proper officer of CareFlight (NSW) Limited will be a complete discharge for this bequest and my trustee will not be bound to see the application of the bequest.

Residual Bequest: I GIVE to CareFlight (NSW) Limited, whose head office is at Westmead Hospital, Westmead NSW, the residue of my estate. I declare that the receipt of the Chief Executive Officer or other proper officer of CareFlight (NSW) Limited will be a complete discharge for this bequest and my trustee will not be bound to see the application of the bequest.

Would you like more Information?

Order our Wills and Bequest Information Guide by phoning (02) 9891 6144.