Did you know that more than half of all Australians don’t have a Will? Or that, while two-thirds of Australians consider leaving a charitable gift in their Will, only 6.5% actually do?
Creating or updating your Will can seem like a daunting, stressful task. It’s easy for it to get pushed to the end of the To Do list. But a Will is vital to save your loved ones stress, time and money while ensuring you leave the legacy that is important to you. Here’s what you need to know about creating, or updating, your Will with a charitable gift.
What does a gift in my Will mean for Parkinson’s research?
Including a gift in your Will to Shake It Up is a simple way to make an enormous difference for people living with Parkinson’s, allowing us to commit to funding ground-breaking Australian research into better treatments and ultimately, a cure. No matter the amount, a planned gift to Shake It Up makes a phenomenal difference. It allows Australia’s leading researchers to focus their attention on finding better treatments and ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s. Not only will your gift help the 200,000 Australian’s living with Parkinson’s, it will also leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Already have a Will?
If you have already written your Will, it is quite simple to add a codicil (a short legal amendment). It’s important to talk to your loved ones about your intentions and let them know what leaving a gift to Parkinson’s research means to you. This helps to make sure your intentions and wishes are carried out. Please note, that if you add a gift to your Will, Shake It Up is not notified directly. That’s why we’d love for you to let us know if you have decided to take this step!
Find Out More about Updating Your Will Today
Want to create a Will?
We’ve partnered with Gathered Here to give you the opportunity to write your Will completely for free. By answering a few simple questions from the comfort of your own home, it can be done in under 10 minutes and you’ll have free, unlimited updates for life. Nominate your Executors, appoint Guardians for your children, divide your Estate, leave specific gifts to loved ones and outline your funeral wishes. It’s that easy.
What types of charitable gifts can you include in a Will?
A gift can be made in the form of a:
1. A residual bequest
You can make a gift of the residue (or remainder), or a percentage of the residue, of your estate once specific gifts and expenses have been taken care of.
2. A specified amount
You can make a specific bequest by simply stating the dollar amount in your Will that you wish to leave.
3. % of your Estate
A percentage of the overall value of your estate.
4. An asset
You may wish to make a gift of a specific asset, for example, real estate, shares, bonds, etc.
What wording should I use in my Will?
The below wording can be used as a template to create or add a charitable gift in your Will to Shake It Up.
I GIVE [$……………….] or [% of my Estate] or [the residue of my Estate] to SHAKE IT UP AUSTRALIA FOUNDATION ABN 65 270 391 304 to be applied for the purposes of Parkinson’s research.
Legal Name: Shake It Up Australia Limited (ACN: 150 635 948) ATF Shake It Up Australia Foundation Trust
ABN: 65 270 391 304
DGR Status: YES
Leave a lasting legacy
Leaving a gift to Parkinson’s research is a lasting and meaningful way to advance treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s. The Shake It Up Australia Parkinson’s Legacy League is made up of our valued supporters who have taken the step to help shape the future for people living with Parkinson’s, by leaving a planned gift to Shake It Up in their Will.
When you notify us of a planned gift in your Will for Shake It Up, you will join the League and receive:
- A printed copy of the Annual Report each year
- A Shake It Up Australia gift pack
- Access to exclusive email updates with news and resources about living with Parkinson’s
We are grateful to our Parkinson’s Legacy League members for their commitment to our vision: a world without Parkinson’s.
For a confidential discussion to find out more about leaving a gift for Parkinson’s research, or to notify us of an existing gift in your Will, please complete the form below.
