Creating lasting impact through thoughtful estate planning
Your legacy gift to OPT ensures that our vital work continues long into the future, touching lives and creating positive change for generations to come. By including us in your estate plans, you’re making a statement about the values that matter most to you and ensuring those values live on. Legacy gifts, regardless of size, provide crucial stability that allows us to plan ahead, expand our programs, and respond to emerging needs. Many impactful charitable initiatives have been made possible through the foresight and generosity of donors who chose to remember charities in their wills. Your bequest costs nothing today but creates immeasurable value tomorrow—it’s one of the most powerful ways to multiply your impact and ensure the causes you care about continue to thrive.
Key Details for Your Attorney or Will Preparation
Legal Name: Only Passing Thru -OPT Ltd
Address: PO Box 350 Malanda, 4885
ABN: 62633573145
Legal Status: ACNC registered charity (non-profit company limited by guarantee)
Sample Bequest Language (Copy and Share)
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Only Passing Thru, an ACNC registered nonprofit organisation located at PO Box 350, Malanda, 4885 , ABN 62633573145 , the sum of $_______ [or ___% of my estate] [or the following described property: _______] for its general charitable purposes.”
Specific Bequest
Leave a specific dollar amount or particular asset. This is the most common and straightforward approach.
Sample Language: “I give and bequeath the sum of $10,000 to Only Passing Thru for its general charitable purposes.”
Percentage Bequest
Leave a percentage of your estate, which automatically adjusts based on the final value of your estate.
Sample Language: “I give and bequeath 5% of my residual estate to Only Passing Thru for its general charitable purposes.”
Residual Bequest
Leave all or a portion of what remains after other bequests and expenses are paid.
Sample Language: “I give and bequeath all [or ____%] of the rest, residue, and remainder of my estate to Only Passing Thru for its general charitable purposes.”
Contingent Bequest
Designate OPT as a backup beneficiary if your primary beneficiaries predecease you.
Sample Language: “If any of my primary beneficiaries do not survive me, I give their share to Only Passing Thru for its general charitable purposes.”
Important Legal Note
While this guide provides helpful information, every person’s situation is unique. We strongly recommend consulting with an attorney specialising in estate planning to ensure your will meets all legal requirements in your state and properly reflects your wishes.
Essential Elements Every Will Must Include
Legal Requirements Checklist
✓ Written document (handwritten or typed – check your state’s requirements)
✓ Your full legal name and address
✓ Clear statement that this is your will and revokes all previous wills
✓ Your signature and date
✓ Witness signatures (typically 2-3 witnesses, depending on state law)
✓ Notarisation (required in some states)
Key Decisions to Make Before Writing Your Will
Questions to Consider
Executor: Who will carry out your wishes? Choose someone trustworthy and organised.
Beneficiaries: Who will receive your assets? Be specific with full names and relationships.
Guardianship: If you have minor children, who will care for them?
Assets: What do you own? Consider property, investments, personal items, and digital assets.
Charitable Giving: Which organisations matter to you? How much would you like to leave?
Step-by-Step Will Writing Process
Step 1: Inventory Your Assets
Create a comprehensive list including real estate, bank accounts, investments, retirement accounts, life insurance, vehicles, jewellery, and personal property. Don’t forget digital assets like online accounts and cryptocurrency.
Step 2: Choose Your Beneficiaries
Decide who gets what. Consider naming alternate beneficiaries in case your first choice predeceases you. Be specific about relationships and include full legal names.
Step 3: Select an Executor
Choose someone you trust completely who is organised and willing to serve. Consider naming an alternate executor as well. Discuss this responsibility with them beforehand.
Step 4: Consider Special Situations
If you have minor children, name guardians. If you have pets, arrange for their care. If you own a business, plan for its continuation or sale.
Step 5: Draft Your Will
You can use online tools, software, or work with an attorney. The more complex your situation, the more important professional help becomes.
Step 6: Execute Properly
Sign your will in the presence of witnesses (who should not be beneficiaries). Some states require notarisation. Follow your state’s specific requirements exactly.
Step 7: Store Safely and Inform Others
Keep your will in a safe, accessible place. Tell your executor and key family members where to find it. Consider registering it with your state’s will registry if available.
When to Hire an Attorney
Consider professional help if you have a large estate, own property in multiple states, have a blended family, own a business, have concerns about family disputes, or want to minimise taxes. Many attorneys offer fixed-fee will preparation services.
Questions to Ask Your Attorney
✓ What are the specific requirements for a valid will in my state?
✓ How should I structure my bequest to minimise taxes for my heirs?
✓ Should I consider a trust instead of or in addition to a will?
✓ How often should I update my will?
✓ What happens if I move to another state?
Information to Bring to Your Attorney
Prepare a complete asset inventory, list of potential beneficiaries with contact information, names of potential executors and guardians, any existing estate planning documents, and your goals for charitable giving including your desired bequest to Only Passing Thru.
Tax Benefits of Charitable Bequests
Charitable bequests to qualified charitable organisations like Only Passing Thru are generally deductible from your estate for federal tax purposes, potentially reducing the tax burden on your other beneficiaries. Consult with a tax professional about your specific situation.
Updating Your Will
Review and update your will after major life events such as marriage, divorce, birth of children or grandchildren, death of beneficiaries, significant changes in assets, or changes in tax law. Minor changes can often be made through a codicil, while major changes may require a new will.
Communicating Your Plans
Consider sharing your philanthropic intentions with family members to avoid surprises and explain your charitable values. You might also want to let Only Passing Thru know about your planned gift so we can plan accordingly and express our gratitude.
Beneficiary Designations
You can name Only Passing Thru as a beneficiary on retirement accounts, life insurance policies, or bank accounts. This transfers assets directly without going through probate and can be easily changed.
Living Trusts
Consider including charitable giving in your living trust, which can provide more control and privacy while avoiding probate.
Charitable Gift Annuities
These provide income during your lifetime while supporting our mission after your death. Contact us to learn more about this option.
You can read more on our website about what our charity does. When you make a bequest to generable charitable giving it will be directed to the project or needs that are most critical at that time.
However if you would like to leave a bequest for a particular purpose you are welcome to do that and can contact us with any questions or for more details.
You can also choose to have your legacy recognised on our website in perpetuity.
Our team is happy to work with you and your attorney to ensure your charitable bequest is structured properly. We can provide additional sample language, answer questions about our organisation, or discuss how your gift will be used.
Contact Information:
Email: opt@passingthrough.net
This information is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances. Please consult with qualified legal and tax professionals before making estate planning decisions.
