Make a Bequest

You can share our commitment to realising the potential of young women and celebrating women’s achievements by leaving a bequest to the YWCA of Greater Wellington.  Every amount gifted helps.

We accept bequested gifts in the form of cash or other assets, such as property or stocks, and may be left to our organisation.  You can share our commitment to realising the potential of young women and celebrating women’s achievements by leaving a bequest to the YWCA.  Every amount gifted really helps.

There is no question that the future of the YWCA of Greater Wellington is critically influenced by all those who want to see the us continue to provide services responsive to the needs of our diverse community of Wellington women.

Why is it important to make a Will?
Creating a Will ensures that your loved ones are provided for after your death. When creating a Will you may also consider leaving a legacy to the organisations whose work you support and care about.

A third of New Zealander’s die without a Will.   In this event the law decides how to dispose of your estate.   This may not be what you want.   A Will ensures that your estate is disposed of as you wish and makes the process easier for loved ones.

Making a new Will, or making an amendment to an existing will, is inexpensive and straightforward.  A solicitor can draw up or amend your will so it is legal.  Paying for a valid Will to be drawn up now is a sound investment, as it prevents future anxiety and expense for your loved ones, who may have problems in ensuring your wishes are carried out if your Will is not correctly drawn up.

What is a legacy of bequest?
A legacy or bequest is a gift left in your Will.  The gift may take the form of cash or other assets, such as property or stocks, and may be left to a person, organisation or both.

What are the different types of legacies or bequests?
Residuary: A Residuary Legacy is a gift of the residue of your estate (or a fraction/percentage), i.e. the amount left after your debts and legacies have been settled and your dependents provided for.  A Residuary Legacy is inflation proof and it maintains its value over time.  This means that you will never have to alter your Will to account for inflation, as you may need to with a Pecuniary Legacy (see below).

Specific: A Specific Legacy allows you to specify a specific item that you would like to leave to the YWCA of Greater Wellington.  This may be jewellery, an artwork, property or other asset.   You may like to contact us to discuss your ideas for a Specific Legacy to the YWCA of Greater Wellington to ensure that your wish can be honoured.

Pecuniary: A Pecuniary Legacy is a specified sum of money that you would like to leave, the amount being decided when the Will/codicil is written.

If you decide to leave a legacy to the YWCA of Greater Wellington in your Will, you will need to contact your solicitor and explain your wishes.  S/he will ensure that your Will is correctly worded.

What will the YWCA of Greater Wellington use my bequest for?
Bequests received by the YWCA are used according to your wishes, as far as possible. Most bequests are made for the general purposes of the YWCA however donors may stipulate whether they would prefer their bequest to be used for a specific programme or service, for example the leadership development of young women.

What do I need to do in order to make a bequest?
When you have decided to make a provision in your Will for the YWCA of Greater Wellington, you can either include the YWCA of Greater Wellington in a new Will, or add a codicil in favour of the YWCA of Greater Wellington to an existing Will.

What is a codicil?
A codicil is an “add-on” to an existing will that can change or add new things to the original text.

To make a new gift to the YWCA of Greater Wellington, simply fill out and return the codicil form to the solicitor who manages your Will:

  • Fill out your full legal name in the spaces provided on the codicil form
  • Enter the details of your gift, be as specific as you can
  • Put a line through the other types of gift (you and your witnesses will need to initial each line you draw)
  • Sign and witness the codicil
  • Send the ‘Notification of Gift’ to the YWCA of Greater Wellington.

How do I leave a bequest?
To make or update an existing Will, contact a solicitor, trustee company or public trustee and let them know that you want to leave a bequest to the YWCA of Greater Wellington.

If you are interested in learning more about leaving a bequest to our YWCA, contact us on info@ywcawellington.org.nz.