SAFE : bequests

SAFE has been working in animal protection in New Zealand for over 70 years. SAFE is one of the world's most respected animal advocacy organisations because we make a real difference to the lives of animals and people.

SAFE undertakes education, research and lobbying for the benefit of all animals. To continue our essential work we need your help.

SAFE is funded by the goodwill and generosity of people like you. There are several ways you can help SAFE to help the animals. By gifting to SAFE during your lifetime and/or in your will you can ensure that SAFE will continue to be the voice for all animals.

Gifting to SAFE can help us achieve so much for the animals. Here are some examples of what your gift can achieve:

Gifting in your lifetime

There are two advantages of gifting in your lifetime - rather than by will:

• Under current legislation gifts made during your lifetime to SAFE are exempt from duty.

• In recent years, large bequests to charitable organisations have been substantially reduced in the courts after a family member or members have successfully contested the will.

Why you should make a will

To ensure that your estate is dealt with according to your wishes it is essential that you have a carefully considered and up-to-date will.

Your will can be an expression of the love and compassion that you feel towards family and friends, and a positive act of support for the work of charitable organisations that you have an affinity with.

Every person should prepare a will - this ensures that your loved ones do not face any delay, uncertainty or possible financial hardship due to you dying intestate (without a will).

Making a will

Consult a solicitor, Public Trust or a trustee company when making or amending your will. This ensures that your will is correctly drawn up according to your instructions and should hopefully avoid any legal pitfalls in the future.

Making a will should be a time of careful consideration. You are disposing of your lifetime possessions, therefore make sure that your will states clearly what you wish to happen with your estate. The name of any organisation or person to benefit should be exact.

Changing your will

As the circumstances of our lives are constantly changing it is important to keep wills current. Simple changes can be made by a codicil (amendment) to your will. Visit this site for more information.

Making a bequest to SAFE

SAFE's work is funded by donations and gifts from the public of New Zealand, many of whom are also members and regular contributors.

If you choose to make SAFE a beneficiary of your will we can assist, should you wish, by offering you legal aid of up to $250 to help you draft your will. We also believe that your bequest to SAFE should be rewarded in your lifetime and offer you a lifetime membership to SAFE, which includes receipt of regular updates on our work, the SAFE magazine and the right to stand, and vote in the election of the SAFE National Executive Committee.

Please email SAFE for a copy of SAFE's Guide to Making a Will to be sent to you directly. Email .

How do I find a solicitor?

If you do not already have a solicitor, friends or family may be able to suggest someone.

Other useful sources are the Yellow Pages, your local Citizen's Advice Bureau and the Family Law Centre. Alternatively, you can contact your Local District Law Society.

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.

Mahatma Gandhi

(Statesman and philosopher)