Legacies and inheritances

There are two types of wills that are most common:

The holographic will

This is the simplest way to set out your last wishes.

It must be written entirely by hand, including the exact date of writing and your signature.

In a holographic will, you must mention all the people and/or organisations to whom you wish to leave part of your estate, providing as much information as possible, such as their full name and address, as well as the share of your estate that is intended for them.

The following elements must be included in the will:

• The title ‘will’
• The identity of the testator, i.e. their first names, surnames, place and date of birth
• The revocation of any previous wills (if any)
• The testamentary dispositions: alternatively or cumulatively, it is possible to bequeath a specific asset or amount. In this case, you must specify exactly which asset or amount (or percentage) is being transferred to which person (natural or legal) and provide the contact details of the persons designated as heirs. For Enfants du Monde, please specify: Enfants du Monde, Rue de Varembé 1, 1202 Genève
• The name of the executor, if you have chosen one
• The place, year, month and day on which the will was drawn up
• The signature of the testator at the bottom of the will, so as to cover its entire content. It is important that the testator indicates their first name(s) and surname and uses their usual signature, so as to leave no doubt as to the identity of the testator.

The public will

To draw up a public will, you must consult a public official or notary and be in the presence of two witnesses. They will write down your last wishes, have them signed by your witnesses and keep the signed document. Please note: your witnesses cannot be your legal heirs or be listed as beneficiaries in your will.

You can deposit your will free of charge at your local town hall.

Subject to the prescribed formalities, you can amend, revoke or destroy your will at any time.

Here are some standard phrases you can use if you wish to include Enfants du Monde in your will:

• For an inheritance: ‘After payment of all inheritance shares, I wish to divide the remaining estate as follows: 50% to X (first name) Y (surname) and 50% to the charity Enfants du Monde, Rue de Varembé 1, 1202 Genève’
• For a bequest: ‘I bequeath to the association Enfants du Monde, Rue de Varembé 1, 1202 Genève, the sum of CHF 1,000.’