A girl from Sri Lanka is drawing a picture.

Shape the future through a bequest

Leave a lasting legacy

There are many ways to do good — both during your lifetime and beyond. Bequeathing, leaving a legacy, or donating a portion of your estate are ways to provide others with a lasting future. In your bequest, you determine what will endure beyond your lifetime. You can create something lasting, set an example of justice and solidarity, and make a lasting difference in people’s lives.

A bequest is a very personal matter. Above all, we all want to include those close to us — such as family and friends — in our final wishes to leave them something. But charitable organizations can also find a place in your will. Especially if you were already socially engaged during your lifetime, this is a particularly sustainable and effective way to continue your work beyond death. With a bequest or inheritance, you can help children and families in the long term and pave the way for a better future for them.

Our Inheritance Law Tutorials

Our inheritance law tutorials also provide valuable insights into how to properly draft your will. After all, your wishes can only be properly carried out if your will is drafted in a legally sound manner. In addition, please be sure to seek professional advice. At ChildFund, we do not offer legal advice ourselves, but we are happy to put you in touch with attorney Simone Beuger, who kindly offers ChildFund supporters a discount on an initial consultation.

Inheritance Law Tutorials

Erbrecht Tutorial 1 - Ihr letzter Wille: Warum ein Testament so wichtig ist

Erbrecht Tutorial 2 - Die richtige Form: ein rechtsgültiges Testament verfassen

Erbrecht Tutorial 3 - Welchen Service bietet eine gemeinnützige Organisation als Erbin?

The Inheritance Seal and the "My Inheritance Does Good" Initiative

Donating is a matter of trust. This is especially true when it comes to one’s final wishes and charitable bequests. The Seal of Approval for Charitable Bequests, which ChildFund has been awarded, stands as a testament to our reliable and conscientious handling of your legacy. As a holder of this seal, we are committed to the so-called “Good Ethical Guidelines for Charitable Bequests”:

Respect for free will,
Diligence and respect in handling your legacy,
Compliance with all legal requirements and the highest level of transparency.

The Legacy Seal is awarded by the initiative “My Legacy Does Good. The Apple Tree Principle,” of which we have been a member for many years—along with over twenty other charitable organizations. The “My Legacy Does Good” initiative offers information and guidance on how to effectively and sustainably support the work of charitable organizations through a will.

You can find more information at www.erbschaftssiegel.de and www.mein-erbe-tut-gutes.de.

Our Inheritance Calculator

In Germany, there are legal regulations governing inheritance—for example, a reserved share that close relatives such as spouses or children are entitled to inherit. With the inheritance calculator, you can use a non-binding tool to assess your personal inheritance situation and calculate the respective shares of the heirs in your estate. You will also learn how large the statutory share is and what portion of the estate you could freely dispose of by drafting a will.

Calculate your inheritance situation now

Please take your time to read through the information provided here. And rest assured that we will manage the assets entrusted to us with the utmost care and in full accordance with the testator’s wishes. Because we know that a last will and testament is not about money, but about leaving behind something of lasting value. As a nonprofit organization, we are exempt from estate tax. This means your bequest will benefit those in urgent need in full.

If you would like to include ChildFund in your will, or if you simply want to discuss your options with us, please feel free to contact us! You can speak with us in confidence about your ideas and wishes.

We're here to help!

Would you like to learn more about charitable bequests, or do you have a question for us? We would be happy to meet with you in person for a confidential, no-obligation consultation. Upon request, we can also put you in touch with experienced professionals who can assist you with estate planning and notarial matters and help you draft your will.

Alexander Busl

Board of Directors

busl@childfund.de

07022 9259 23

Johannes Peisker

Contact Person for Wills and Inheritance

peisker@childfund.de

07022 9259 29

Give children a future now

Your donation helps create a world where children can grow up safely, develop freely, and overcome poverty.