How to Leave A Legacy in Your will?

Thank you for supporting Oxfam's legacy giving. We will make your will for free if you are willing to donate HK$10,000 or more to Oxfam Hong Kong.

You can make a new will to replace your old one. As long as your new will includes a legacy donation as well, our volunteer lawyers can assist you. However, our volunteer lawyers will charge a fee for their services in making a new will.

Note: The distribution of your estate depends entirely on your wishes.

Here are some examples for reference:

Example (1)

• All properties ➜ Spouse (Backup: Sister)
• Residual estate 90% ➜ Spouse (Backup: Sister)
• Residual estate 10% ➜ Charity name: _______

Example (2)

• All properties ➜ Spouse (Backup: Sister)
• HKD 100,000 ➜ Charity name: _______
• Bank balance ➜ Spouse (Backup: Sister)
• Residual estate 100% ➜ Spouse (Backup: Sister)

Example (3)

• Assets 50% ➜ Charity A Name: _______
• Assets 50% ➜ Charity B Name: _______

(Information provided by "ForeverGift")

The distribution of your estate depends entirely on your wishes. Here are some examples for reference:

Example (1)

Property ➜ Son (Backup: Daughter)

Remaining inheritance 90% ➜ Daughter (Backup: Son)

Residual Estate 10% ➜ Charity Name:_______

Example (2)

HKD 50,000 ➜ Charity name: _______

Property ➜ Spouse (Backup: Sister)

Residual inheritance 100% ➜ Spouse (Backup: Sister)

Example (3)

All Legacy

50% ➜ Charity A Name:_______

50% ➜ Charity B Name:_______

(Information provided by "ForeverGift")

If you combine all your assets and then divide them among different beneficiaries using percentages, you don't have to list the individual assets in your will.

If you are distributing certain designated assets to designated beneficiaries (e.g., property to beneficiary A, bank balance to beneficiary B), for the sake of clarity, you should list the details of the individual assets (e.g., property address, bank account number) in your will, but you do not need to list the total value of the assets.

To make it easier for the executor to find and deal with your assets in the future, after making a will, you can prepare a list of your assets and place it together with your will. The list should include all your insurance plan numbers, bank account numbers, property addresses, etc. You can also update this list regularly without having to amend your will each time.

(Information provided by "ForeverGift")

If the property or bank account is held in joint names (joint ownership), it will automatically pass to the other joint owners and will not become part of your estate. A will can specify who should be the beneficiary if the other joint owners predecease you.

(Information provided by "ForeverGift")

The insurance policy proceeds are transferred directly to the policy beneficiary and therefore are not considered part of your estate.

The insurance money will only become part of your estate if all policy beneficiaries predecease you or if you do not specify a policy beneficiary. A will can specify how your insurance money should be distributed in this situation. If no indication is given, the insurance proceeds will be included in your "residuary estate" for distribution.

Learn more about Policy Giving