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 the Diocese of Grafton:

“I give and bequeath the sum of $…. (or the rest and residue of my estate) to The Corporate Trustees of the Diocese of Grafton in the State of New South Wales to be used for the general purposes of the Diocese of Grafton in such manner as the said Trustees may approve and the receipt of the Diocesan Registrar shall be sufficient discharge to my executor or trustee.”

For the work of a specific Anglican parish in the Diocese of Grafton:

“I give and bequeath the sum of $…. (or the rest and residue of my estate) to The Corporate Trustees of the Diocese of Grafton in the State of New South Wales to be used for the general purposes of the Parish of  …………. in the Diocese of Grafton in such manner as the said Trustees may approve 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 within the Grafton Diocese. If you are contemplating a different or more specific bequest, we ask you to consider contacting the Diocesan Registrar (registrar@graftondiocese.org.au or PO Box 4, Grafton NSW 2460) to confirm the relevant details. All discussions regarding wills or donations will be kept confidential.

The Corporate Trustees request 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 difficult to honour if changes after the day of writing a will make it impractical to apply the gift in the manner intended.