Bequests
Making a legally binding will is important for all adults as it can ensure that in the event of your death your finances and possessions are distributed in the manner that you intend. This is important regardless of your family situation or level of prosperity. Clarity in your will can prevent disputes arising over your estate.
Providing for the ongoing work of the church in your will is an example of good stewardship of the resources that God has given to you to use in your lifetime.
If it is your intention to provide for the work of the church after your passing, it will be necessary for you to include specific words to that effect in your will. If your intentions are not made clear in your will then your executor will not be able to act as you intended, as the executor is bound to act according to your legal written instructions.
When making or revising your will, obtaining legal assistance is the safest course of action. If you intend to provide for the work of the church in your will, we suggest that you take the following draft clauses to your solicitor for inclusion in your will, as appropriate.
For the general work of the Anglican Church in North Queensland:
“I give and bequeath the sum of $.... (or the rest and residue of my estate) to The Corporation of the Diocesan Synod of North Queensland and the receipt of the Diocesan Registrar shall be sufficient discharge to my executor or trustee.”
For the work of a specific Anglican Ministry Unit in North Queensland:
“I give and bequeath the sum of $.... (or the rest and residue of my estate) to The Corporation of the Diocesan Synod of North Queensland for the general charitable and religious purposes of the Ministry Unit of …………… (or any successive ministry within that area), and the receipt of the Diocesan Registrar shall be sufficient discharge to my executor or trustee.”
For the restoration of St James Cathedral, Townsville:
“I give and bequeath the sum of $.... (or the rest and residue of my estate) to The Corporation of the Diocesan Synod of North Queensland for the maintenance, upkeep and improvement of the building, fixtures and fittings of St James Cathedral, Townsville, and the receipt of the Diocesan Registrar shall be sufficient discharge to my executor or trustee.”
The above draft clauses do not represent the full extent of the opportunities to make bequests to the work of the Anglican Church in North Queensland. If you are contemplating a different or more specific bequest, we ask you to consider contacting the Diocesan Registrar (registrar@anglicannq.org or PO Box 1244, Townsville Q 4810) to confirm the relevant details. All discussions regarding wills or donations will be kept confidential.
The Diocesan Registry requests that any bequest is made in general terms similar to the draft clauses above. A bequest that is overly detailed may be burdensome to administer, or a bequest for a highly specific purpose may be wasted if changes after the day of writing a will make it impossible to apply the gift in the manner intended.
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