By making a bequest in your Will you help The Leprosy Mission New Zealand to work with people who have been stigmatised and unjustly treated for centuries. You will help fund hospitals, educational grants and/or a range of projects which enable and empower people affected by leprosy to live their lives with dignity.

What is a Will?

Your Will is a statement of what you want done with your possessions or estate after  you die, and how you want your family to be looked after. Your will has no effect until you die.

Writing a Will is important so you can be sure your loved ones and the causes you care about are provided for after you die.

How do you make a Will?

The law says a Will must be made in a prescribed manner. It is an important document, and it is wise to obtain professional advice as to how to do this.

A Will allows you to specify how your Estate will be distributed. This might include a charitable bequest. It names guardians for children who are minors and it names as Executors people or an Organisation you trust to carry out your wishes. (Often a relative and a professional are named as Executors).

A Will must be signed by you and witnessed by two people, neither of whom may benefit from it.

Who can or should make a Will?

Anyone of sound mind who is 18 years or more, and any married person, regardless of age should have an up to date Will.  Without a Will, family usually inherit your estate in set proportions, which may not be what you would have wished. Your estate will also be more expensive to administer.

Making a Gift in your Will

A Bequest gift in your Will is sometimes also called a legacy.

A Bequest gift can be the logical extension of your interest and support for a charity like The Leprosy Mission New Zealand, whether it has been in the form of monetary donations, voluntary time or expertise. A Bequest gift made through your last Will and Testament can be a:

• a percentage of your estate
• the residue of your estate after other specific bequests have been fulfilled
• a percentage of the residue
• the total estate after testamentary expenses for the funeral, fees etc.
• specified sum of money
• property, insurance policy, stocks and shares, works of art, antiques etc left in the Will

Gifts in your will that refer to percentages will require fewer revisions.

Amending your existing Will with a Codicil

If you already have a Will, you can make a simple addition, called a Codicil, to benefit a charity such as The Leprosy Mission New Zealand.

Decide what sort of Bequest gift you would like to make, be it a percentage, a fixed amount, or an asset.

Download and fill in the Codicil form.

Ensure the form is signed by two witnesses, neither of whom benefit from your Will.

Give the form to your solicitor, who can then add the Codicil to your Will.

Writing a new Will

This is one of the most important documents you will ever sign.

Ask for professional help from a solicitor in drawing up your Will.

Make a list of your assets, the beneficiaries of your Will, and the executors.

Decide what sort of Bequest gift will go to each beneficiary.

 If you would like to discuss this confidentially, please contact teh Donor Development Manager: Gillian Whitley.

Departure Time

The Leprosy Mission has a helpful booklet called "Departure Time". It is a diary in preparation for the end of life's journey with sections to record personal details, funeral arrangements, and information on financial and legal matters, including your will.

If you would like further information or a copy of "Departure Time' please contact the Donor Development Manager: Gillian Whitley.