American Red Cross of Central Florida 

Wills and Bequests

How to Name the Red Cross in Your Will

To include a gift to the American Red Cross Central Florida in your will or trust, please designate a specific amount or percentage to the "American Red Cross of Central Florida."

Your gift will be used to prepare for, prevent and respond to disasters and emergencies in the Central Florida Area. Also, Red Cross Central Florida Area volunteers are sent throughout North America to help victims of disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods.

How to Create Your Will

A will or a living trust should be drafted by an attorney knowledgeable in estate planning and the laws of the state in which you reside. Attorneys do charge for their services, but a properly drafted will can save your heirs time, taxes, unnecessary fees, and possible heartache.

You should prepare for your meeting with your attorney. Draft a list of all your assets, including bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement and insurance plans, real estate, and valuables. You should also make a list of the people and charities that you would like these assets to go to after your lifetime.

How to Update Your Will

If you already have a will, but your circumstances have changed -- births, deaths, new or lost friendships, changes in the law, or your desire to add a charity as a beneficiary of your estate -- then you need to update your will. Some people think you can write in your own changes on your current will. This is risky and may invite a will contest and costly litigation for your heirs. See your attorney for assistance.

What is a Codicil?

A codicil is an amendment to your will, which can add to, take from or alter the terms of your will. It is a legal document and must be signed with the same formalities as a will, including the required number of witnesses. Unless the changes you want to make are lengthy or complicated, a codicil is significantly less costly than drafting a new will. Also, your attorney may be aware of a particular provision in your old will that has an advantage protected by law which would be lost if you executed a new will.

Caution: Clearly a new will is preferable when you want to make numerous changes, and a new will does avoid confusion. If you do create a new will, have your attorney keep the originals of all old, out-of-date wills to be sure they remain secure.

Advantages of a Codicil

A codicil makes sense for a simple change, such as the addition of a charitable bequest. In some cases, speed in preparation and execution may be important and a codicil usually is quicker to prepare than a new will.

If you worry about anyone questioning your capacity to make a new will, a codicil is advantageous. If someone later claims that you were incompetent and the codicil is not admitted to probate, your original will is still valid. To ensure that changes in your will by codicil will have the intended legal effect, be sure to consult your attorney.

4 Good Reasons to Include the American Red Cross Central Florida Area in Your Will

1. The American Red Cross of Central Florida responds to one residential fire per day on average. Red Cross volunteers provide victims with food, clothing, and temporary shelter. Volunteers also provide counseling to victims to help them find new housing and cope with their loss.
2. Volunteers from the American Red Cross of Central Florida are sent to help victims of numerous major disasters in North America.
3. The Red Cross is keeping families safe. In addition to First Aid/CPR/AED, Aquatics and HIV/AIDS education, the American Red Cross of Central Florida also offers classes in disaster preparedness, babysitter training, and pet first aid.
4. The American Red Cross Central Florida: Together, we can save a life.

Who can tell me more?

For more information about planned gifts, please contact:

Ken Fagan
Gift Planning Officer
American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region
Phone: (407) 894-4141, ext. 4610
Toll Free: 1-866-262-2755
Fax: (407) 839-1613

^top of page | link to us | send to a friend | privacy policy
Headquarters: 5 North Bumby Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803 Phone: (407) 894-4141

Copyright 2009. The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.