Gift in Your Will

Your Will is an essential part of your estate plan. Without a Will, provincial laws will dictate how your assets get distributed. No matter the size of your estate, with a Will, you control how your estate is disbursed.

Making your Will is really about your life, not your death; it is about your interests, not your assets. It is a great way to express your personal values and beliefs. The process of making an estate plan provides clarity and support for your family and community. Some people think they must choose between leaving a gift to their family or their charity of choice. In fact, you can do both and some charitable gifts may result in savings that will allow you to have more money to give away.

By planning ahead, you can help reduce the amount of tax owing by your estate and preserve as much as possible for your heirs.

How do I include a bequest in my Will?

Notify your lawyer or the person looking after your Will. Tell them you want to make a bequest gift to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation. They can revise your Will to include a written statement like this one:

Sample Statement to Add to Your Will

“I, , bequeath to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, Charlottetown, PEI, % of the residue (or a specific amount) of my estate for use at its sole discretion.

Some of our donors worry whether or not they will have enough to look after themselves until their passing. Residuals are simply a gift from whatever is left called a “residue” after all of your gifts, taxes and debts have been paid. Residual bequests are recommended by the QEH Foundation.

Retired school teacher Joyce Dixon and her sister Colleen Hunter admire the QEH Foundation Donor Wall. It was one of Claude’s wishes to one day have his name listed on the donor wall. After Claude’s passing, Joyce made a donation and they are now recognized at the Patron ($25,000-$49,999) level. Joyce has also indicated she is leaving a bequest in her Will to the hospital.

“My husband Claude and I spent most of our married life in Rollo Bay. Sadly, Claude passed away in 2013 a few weeks shy of our 55th wedding anniversary. I was so impressed with the excellent care he received from all the doctors and nurses at the QEH that I have decided to leave a gift in my Will.”

Joyce Dixon, QEH Legacy Society Charter Member