A will is a legal document that can safeguard the future of the people and causes you most cherish. It records exactly how you wish your assets and possessions to be distributed after your death. Having a will brings peace of mind, knowing that your affairs are in order

A bequest is a gift of cash or property documented in a will. This can involve a one-off payment or can provide income in perpetuity, and is a thoughtful way to support your beneficiaries in the future.

We recommend that you consult your lawyer or other legal advisor to ensure that your will is worded correctly and witnessed and signed properly. If you do not have a lawyer, contact the New Zealand Law Society,
www.lawsociety.org.nz, or your local Citizens Advice Bureau, www.cab.org.nz

If you have already written a will, your lawyer can add a codicil to keep your will up to date.

You do not need to be wealthy to leave a gift in your will. Bequests come in all sizes and are all valued by NFRT. Many people find that a bequest is an ideal way to make a lasting contribution without impacting on their financial needs during their lifetime.

We appreciate that looking after your family is your priority. Once you are happy that their needs are provided for you may wish to consider leaving a bequest to NFRT to help save New Zealand native forest.

Your lawyer will be able to provide wording for your will to take account of any changes in your family or personal circumstances, such as marriage or divorce, and the birth of children or grandchildren. It is important to review your will regularly and make any updates that are needed.

There are a number of options for leaving a gift in your will to NFRT:
A specific sum or percentage of your estate:

A specific sum is an option but it is a good idea to think about the effects of inflation over time. What may seem like a large amount now may not seem so in years to come. Nominating a percentage of your estate instead of a cash sum means that you do not have to keep adjusting your gift to allow for inflation.

The residue of your estate:

You may bequeath what is left from your estate after all other gifts and costs have been deducted.

A specific gift of property or other assets:

A bequest does not have to be for cash, it may be for real estate, shares, jewellery or other property you own at the time of your death.

The following is the wording to use (delete as appropriate):
“I give to NZ Native Forests Restoration Trust (registered charity number CC30320) ___% of my estate OR the rest and residue of my estate OR the sum of $_____ for its general purposes free of probate and estate duties payable upon or in consequence of my death. I declare that the receipt of its Executive Director, Treasurer or other authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.”

As your bequest is unlikely to be realised for some years to come, we recommend that it is unrestricted, so that our successors can have the flexibility to direct it to the area of greatest need at the time. However, if you are interested in directing your gift to a specific area of our work please contact us. Any bequest details that you choose to share with us will remain confidential.