Gifts in Wills Frequently Asked Questions

Having a will ensures that your final wishes are understood and respected. If you do not have a valid will when you pass away, state laws will determine who your estate is administered and distributed.

It is easy to underestimate the value of your estate, particularly if you own real estate. You should review your will regularly particularly if your personal circumstances change, such as marriage, divorce, bought or sold property, retired or if an intended beneficiary or executor has died. You may wish to direct your superannuation or life insurance into your estate, as these do not automatically form part of your estate.
Writing a will does involve making important decisions. It is important that you discuss these decisions with your loved ones, and ideally, an independent legal advisor.

Your first priority will always be your family and loved ones. We encourage you to consider them first, and should you wish to leave a gift Ballarat Health Services Foundation, to discuss this decision with your loved ones.

Leaving a gift in your will is an opportunity to give back to organisations that are important to us, without affecting daily finances. It can be a profound way to recognise your connection to our health service and to help support its life-giving work, for generations.

A gift in your will to Ballarat Health Services Foundation helps us build on our strong foundation for equitable, accessible healthcare into the future. The Foundation council will prudently manage your gift, and income generated by these managed funds will be allocated throughout the year to support projects of the highest need or large projects that require significant funding assistance.

Every gift, no matter how small, will make a difference in providing exceptional public healthcare in Ballarat.

Yes! Many people wish to acknowledge a particular department of the health service for the exception care they, or a loved one, have received. We will ensure that your wishes are respected and all funds are allocated as requested.

We recommend you use a solicitor or an accredited wills and estate specialist (these may be online). These people have the necessary experience, training and qualificiations to provide you with sound advice, to ensure that your will is legal and valid, and that your wishes will be acted upon as intended. Encourage your solicitor to contact us if they have any questions.

I give [Amount (in dollars or percentage ($## or ##%))/residue/specific item] to BALLARAT HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION LIMITED ABN 86 007 199 037 (“Ballarat Health Services Foundation”) and I declare that the receipt of the proper officer for the time being of Ballarat Health Services Foundation shall be good and sufficient discharge to my Trustee/s.

If you choose to give to a specific department or purpose, please consider including the following provision:
If at any time Ballarat Health Services Foundation determines that it is impossible or impractical to fulfil the purpose of my bequest, the Foundation may apply the bequest for a related purpose that will most closely align with the spirit and intent of my bequest.

A donation of a cash sum is a set amount of money that decreases in value over time, due to inflation. A residual gift, often a percentage, will retain its value over time. The value of a residual gift is determined when your estate is being finalised.

You can easily amend an existing will to include a gift to Ballarat Health Services Foundation by asking your solicitor to prepare an additional page (a codicil) that has been signed and witnessed.

You are under no obligation to tell us of your intention to leave a gift in your will. However, notifying us allows us to thank you for your gift and recognise your generosity in your lifetime. We will always treat any information you provide us with the highest levels of confidentiality.