September is Wills Month : Leave a gift in your Will that helps make time count

The first days of spring have arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand. As many of us are taking the opportunity to refresh our homes and prepare for the months ahead, it's also a good time to review an important document that brings peace of mind: your Will.

A Will ensures your wishes are clearly recorded, and your loved ones are provided for. It's also an opportunity to reflect the values that matter most to you and the impact you'd like to have in the future.

For some people, that inclues leaving a gift in their Will to a cause closer to their heart.

A gift in your Will to Motor Neurone Disease New Zealand (MND NZ) can support people living with motor neurone disease (MND), as well as their families/whānau, for years to come. Every gift, regardless of size, helps makes a meaningful difference.

If you don't have a Will :

• September is Wills Month in New Zealand. Many platforms allow you to write your Will for free during the month. It doesn't take long and is often all online, making it easy for you to do in your spare time.
• Creating a Will does not need to be complicated. Having one in place can provide certainty for your loved ones and ensure your wishes are carried out.
• If supporting people affected by MND is important to you, you may wish to consider including a gift in your Will to MND NZ.
• There are several ways to leave a gift in your Will, including a percentage of your estate, or a specific amount. A solicitor or qualified legal advisor can help determine which option is right for you.

If you already have a Will :

• If you would like to include MND NZ in an existing Will, it is often a straightforward process.
• A solicitor can help you add a codicil, which is a legal amendment to your current Will, or update the document to reflect your wishes.
• We encourage you to discuss your plans with your family/whānau. Having open conversations can help ensure your wishes are understood and respected in the future.

The difference your gift can make

A gift in your Will can help people affected by MND access personalised support, trusted information, advocacy, and resources when they need them most.  

It can also help support research that brings us closer to better treatments, and ultimately, a world without MND. Most importantly, your gift helps ensure that people diagnosed with MND and their families/whānau continue to receive support at every stage of their journey.

Ever gift is received with gratitude, and every gift helps make time count.

Find out more

You can learn more about leaving a gift in your Will, what wording to use, and get in touch with our team if you have any questions through the link here.