Why do I need a Will?
Your Will is your chance to say who will receive your assets when you die. By making or updating your Will you are ensuring that your estate will be distributed in the way you intended.

How do I make a bequest to Mission Australia and still provide for my family?
Including a bequest to Mission Australia in your Will is easy. When you make a Will, or update your existing one, simply ask your solicitor to include a bequest to Mission Australia. There are a number of ways you can do this. Discuss your options with your solicitor to see which one is right for you.

How do I word a bequest to Mission Australia in my Will?
Click here for recommended bequest wording. Alternatively, further information can be found in our bequest brochure Bequests Brochure (541.79 kB). You can either download a copy or we can mail a copy out to you. Contact us on This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 1800 88 88 68 or (02) 9219 2057.

Do I need professional advice to make a Will?
Because your Will is a legal document, we advise that you speak with a solicitor who offers a Will writing service. If you don’t already have a solicitor, you can download our list of solicitors who can assist you.
Bequests Solicitors List (17.34 kB)

What happens if I do not make a Will – does it all go to the Government?
When you die without a will, the legal term is to die “intestate." Your estate only goes to the (State) Government if you have no relatives within a number of categories. These categories include spouse; children; grandchildren; parents; brother; sister; nieces & nephews; aunt; uncle. If there are no relatives in one group then it drops to the next group, and so on. The word spouse means either legal spouse or de facto spouse.

If you die intestate, these people have to be established by documentary evidence such as birth, death and marriage certificates. These can sometimes be difficult to obtain if the events took place overseas or the details are unknown.

If you die intestate, you will not have nominated an executor, so the person who deals with your assets (called the Administrator) will be the person getting the largest share. If there are several people getting the same share, they have to agree on who should be Administrator. There may be a dispute amongst these beneficiaries as to who should be the Administrator.