Inheritance and Legacy
Would you like to do good beyond your lifetime and let your solidarity and humanity live on? In addition to your loved ones, you can also favour Caritas Switzerland in your will. By doing so, you will leave a life-changing mark, because millions of people are still affected by poverty. We can help you draw up a legally valid will and relieve the burden on your loved ones with a living will and an advance care directive - so that all final arrangements are made in your favour.
Draw up your will
Show gratitude for your life and do good beyond death: a will allows you to decide for yourself how your estate should be distributed so that your values can live on.
How to proceed
- create your personalised, free will template online.
- copy the will template by hand and sign and date the document.
- keep your will in a safe place.
I've done it. And you?
By deciding to remember Caritas Switzerland in your will, you have the certainty that your wishes will be carried out in accordance with your will when the time comes
Your will helps.
Many questions arise when a will is written. We have compiled the most important answers for you. If you have any further questions, we shall be happy to advise you.
Download
You can use the sample will as a template for your own will. Please note that wills must be handwritten, signed and dated. The sample list of assets helps you to get a picture of your assets.
Example of a will
You can use the sample will as a template for your own will. In order for the will to be legally valid, it must be copied by hand and signed with the place and date.
Download (pdf, 71.79 KB)
List of assets
The sample list of assets will help you to get a picture of your estate.
Download (pdf, 74.36 KB)Manage all your directives
Relieving the burden on relatives with a living will
With a living will, you have the opportunity to make your own decision on medical decisions today. This is particularly important in the event that you are no longer able to communicate your wishes yourself due to an accident or illness. The living will (patient directive) gives your family and the medical team which is providing care the certainty that they can act in your best interests in an emergency.
Your Directives for Emergencies
With Directives for Emergencies, you can authorise people to make decisions on your behalf if you are no longer capable of judgement. The Directives for Emergencies apply to representation in personal, financial and legal matters. Married couples and registered partnerships also have a right of representation without a power of attorney. However, married couples also need a power of attorney for extraordinary asset management (e.g. selling a house).
Write the Power of Attorney by hand, and sign and date it. This is the only way to make it legally valid.
«When my mother passed away, we had to make a lot of decisions. It helped us a lot that she had recorded her wishes and that we had talked about them during her lifetime.»bettina k.Relative
Directives in the Event of Death
What happens to my digital estate? What should be in the obituary? Do you have clear wishes for the funeral or memorial service? If you put your last wishes in writing, you can help your loved ones make difficult decisions later on. The Caritas brochure contains practical tips for organising the farewell.
Download
available in German or French
Anordnungen für den Todesfall
Dieser Leitfaden gibt Ihnen die Möglichkeit, Ihre Wünsche festzuhalten für die Fragen, die sich nach Ihrem Tod stellen werden. Wir empfehlen Ihnen, diese Anordnungen mit Ihren Angehörigen zu besprechen und sie über deren Existenz zu informieren.
Download (pdf, 1.12 MB)Will Folder
Would you prefer to make your directives in analogue and handwritten form? The Caritas Will Folder will help you. The folder contains informational brochures on living wills, advance directives and a guide to wills and previsions in the event of death.
For a CHF 10 contribution towards costs of production and postage, you will receive the Will Folder in your letterbox.
Contact
Bernhard Leicht
Head of inheritances and leagacies+41 41 419 24 69bleicht@caritas.ch
If you have any questions or would like to talk to me, I shall be happy to help you. Please contact me without obligation. Your questions will be treated with the utmost discretion. I shall be happy also to answer any questions that you may have about our work and projects.
Header image: With your will, Caritas Switzerland provides long-term support for people in need and poverty in Switzerland and abroad. © Andreas Schwaiger