A bequest to childhood cancer research – What do I need to consider?

Many questions often arise when a person plans their estate. One way of using assets in a worthwhile manner and doing good at the same time is to support a non-profit organisation such as the Swiss Paediatric Oncology Group (SPOG). SPOG organises clinical research in Switzerland with the aim of helping children and adolescents with cancer.

But how can I ensure that my bequest really is used for the intended purpose?

You can stipulate the purpose for which your bequest should be used in a will or an inheritance contract. However, there is usually a long interval between the writing of a will and the date on which the funds actually become available. Get in touch with SPOG so that together we can stipulate an intended purpose that can continue to be fulfilled after your death.

Inheritance tax is another important question. The issue of inheritance tax does not arise with bequests to SPOG because, as a recognised non-profit organisation, SPOG is exempt from tax. Donations and bequests go directly to research carried out by SPOG.

But how can I make sure my family as secure as possible and support SPOG at the same time? Ideally you should discuss matters with your family as soon as possible and tell them that you would like to support SPOG. You should also discuss the expectations of those closest to you and the needs of the family.

If you do not make a will, your estate will be distributed as stipulated by law. If you have no legal heirs, your entire estate will go to the state. Templates for wills are available to download free of charge. Bear in mind, however, that templates only cover standard situations, and examine them carefully to see whether they actually reflect your situation. Our partner www.deinadieu.ch, for example, provides a template.

Existing wills should be reviewed regularly and modified as needed. The revised inheritance legislation came into force on 1 January 2023. The most important changes concern the reduction of the compulsory shares awarded to direct descendants, removal of the compulsory share for parents and the ability to void a spouse’s right to a compulsory share while divorce proceedings are ongoing.

It is often a good idea to nominate a neutral, independent person as executor of the will in order to avoid disputes or conflicts of interest. This person is required to administer the estate and carry out the wishes of the deceased person. A specialist can provide advice if more complex estate planning is required.

A lifetime gift is another way of supporting SPOG. This means that you can transfer part of your financial assets or specific material assets to SPOG while you are alive. A gift of this kind can be either a one-off gift or made in instalments. It is important to note that gifts made during the five years preceding the death of the giver can be deducted from the legacy. This is intended to prevent wealthy individuals from gifting their assets prior to their death and in this way disadvantaging their legal heirs.

It is also possible to stipulate while the giver is alive a purpose or a specific project for which the gift should be used. This enables you to ensure that your assets are used specifically to help children and adolescents with cancer.

And finally, it is important to emphasise that it is a good idea to obtain advice from an expert when planning your own estate or making lifetime gifts. Individual advice can help you to take tax issues into account and ensure that your wishes really are implemented.

SPOG offers a number of ways to help children and adolescents with cancer. One of them is to support the research conducted by SPOG into childhood cancer with a legacy or a gift. Here it is important to obtain advice from an expert and to formulate your own wishes clearly. Specific estate planning or a lifetime gift enable you to use your assets to provide the greatest possible benefit for affected children and adolescents.

Contact me if you need more information or have questions, or order our guide to making a will (available in German or French).