Including a gift in your Will

Would leaving a gift in my Will really make a difference?

Yes. Every gift in a Will we receive makes an extraordinary impact on our ability to provide life-changing support to people who are affected by anxiety, depression and suicide.

By choosing to make this profound gift, you’ll be helping to ensure every person in Australia can receive the support they need for their mental health.

Isn’t the process of writing a Will difficult and expensive?

Writing a Will isn’t as complicated or expensive as you might think. If your affairs are relatively simple Will-writing and visiting a solicitor to help you should not be an expensive process. However, if you cannot afford to use a solicitor, there are many low-cost Will-writing packs that are available. You can also consider writing your legally-binding Will  online for free.

Can I create my Will online?

Most of us know we should have an updated Will, but we put off doing this because it seems like an intimidating task. Luckily, these days you can create a reputable Will online with a few simple clicks. We recommend using a trustworthy online Will-making website like Gathered Here (where, as a Beyond Blue supporter, you can make your Will for free) or Willed.

Are online Wills legally valid and binding?

Yes. Provided that you meet the usual requirements for creating a Will (namely, you have testamentary capacity and are of sound mind, are over the age of 18, make the Will voluntarily, and follow the required signing and witnessing formalities), a Will made online will be legally valid and binding.

Why should I write my Will?

Writing a Will is the only way you can guarantee your assets will be distributed to people and causes you care about according to your wishes. If you don’t have a Will when you die, there’s no way of knowing who beneficiaries should be, and what proportion of your estate should be distributed to each. It will also mean that the causes you care about won’t be able to benefit from any gifts in your Will that would have chosen to make.

Where can I get advice I trust?

You can speak to your solicitor, an estate planning lawyer, or the public trustee and guardian service in your state or territory for advice about distributing your assets and writing a legally valid Will.

There’s been some changes in my family, how can my Will reflect this?

You should update your Will whenever your personal circumstances change. Such changes could include you re-marrying, divorce, births or deaths in the family, and/or significant changes to your financial situation. We recommend speaking to your solicitor about the best way to update your Will to reflect these changes, and if you wish, to also ensure that Beyond Blue is validly included.

Do I have to be wealthy to leave a gift in my Will to Beyond Blue?

Not at all. Many wonderful people who’ve left us gifts in Wills aren’t wealthy. They’re simply people who chose to leave a proportion of their estate to Beyond Blue (a residual gift). Every gift in Will we receive is deeply appreciated. Even 1% of your residual estate makes a difference. No matter what kind of gift you choose to make, your generosity will have a profound impact on people living in Australia who are struggling with mental health issues in the years to come

Can I still make sure my loved ones are taken care of?

Absolutely. It’s one of the reasons we recommend you make a residual gift to Beyond Blue, as such gifts are only drawn from your estate once your loved ones and expenses have been taken care of.

Don’t only older people and parents have Wills?

No. Life is unpredictable and constantly changing. In the face of this, having a Will is one of the very few ways you can have certainty, and it is the only way you can ensure that your estate will be distributed according to your wishes. Anyone over the age of 18 is eligible to have a Will. Particularly as your life changes, for example if you marry, have children, travel or face a serious illness—you are never too young to consider having a Will.

Can I let Beyond Blue know I’ve left a gift in my Will?

Absolutely! We feel sad when we receive an unexpected gift after a person has passed away because we are unable to say thank you. By letting us know about your gift when you create your Will, you give us the opportunity to say thank you and to show you the impact your gift will have on people who need your support in the future.