Common questions about a gift in your will
If you’re considering making the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society a part of your legacy, we know you might have some questions. You may have a question that someone has already asked – so, we’re sharing some of the most frequently asked questions with you. If you can’t find the answer to your question below, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Click on the question to see the answer.
Who can leave a gift in their will?
Many people think including a gift to charity in their will is something only the wealthy can do. That isn’t true at all! Most of us don’t have a lot of cash to give today, but we may have assets that we won’t need after we’re gone. Anyone can leave a gift of any size in their will to a cause they are passionate about. Nearly 1.5 million Canadians already have. After you’ve ensured your loved ones are provided for, you can make a gift in your will to ensure that your love of the animals lives on. It’s as simple as that.
Isn’t it better to help now, and not later?
A gift in your will offers a different way of providing for animals. It is often a way for you to give much more than you would be able to in your lifetime. That’s because a gift in your will includes all of your assets – including things like real estate or investments, which are often overlooked when you think about how much money you have. When you think about your estate, you will likely find that your total net worth is more than you thought. This means you can make help even more animals than you ever thought possible.
Why is it important to leave a gift to charity in my will?
A gift in your will is important for two reasons. First and foremost, it’s a way for you to leave a lasting footprint of kindness and compassion on the world. Donors often tell us how wonderful they feel to know that their love of animals and the need to protect them can live on, even after they’re gone.
Second, it creates vital funding to protect animals and ensure that they will find their forever homes. Gifts in wills, or what is also known as a charitable bequest, can create a lasting change that will improve animal welfare for generations of animals.
How will the Ontario SPCA use my gift?
We promise to use your gift wisely and carefully, to keep animals safe as best we can. Your gift could save the lives of animals. It could provide homes for animals. It could spay and neuter animals that desperately need it. It could rescue animals during natural disasters. The possibilities of what you can achieve are enormous.
How can I leave a gift to charity and provide for my loved ones?
There are lots of ways to make sure your loved ones are taken care of along with remembering a charity in your will. A popular option is called a residual gift. That means you take care of your family, friends, and neighbours first, along with any debts, before leaving whatever is left to your charities of choice.
What if I already have a will?
If you already have a will, and you’d like to add a gift to the Ontario SPCA, you can use a special legal document called a codicil to amend your will. To see sample codicil language,
please go to our section on updating your will.
