To leave a bequest to the Archdiocese (the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe) is to give it, in the future, the material means to continue its mission of evangelisation, education, charity and prayer. To consider making a bequest is a way of opening oneself to the sharing to which Christ has called us. It is also a last way of continuing to do good, as we have done throughout our lives, a final gift, an even stronger gift.
In concrete terms, bequests to the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe contribute to the development of new projects. They are essential for the material life of the Church.
If you have no children, you may dispose of all your property. Otherwise, part of your estate necessarily passes to them: this part is the reserved portion. Conversely, you may freely dispose of the remainder: the disposable portion. Thus, if you have one child, the disposable portion is 1/2; if you have two children, it is 1/3; and if you have three or more children, the disposable portion is only 1/4 of your estate. If you have no children, your spouse is entitled to a reserved portion of one quarter of your estate.
It is advisable to draw up one’s will in good time. Indeed, if one waits until old age to do so, there are two major risks. First, the risk of premature death. Second, health problems may impair your capacity to write a will. Any will, especially one written fairly early, can be amended or rewritten as often as necessary. Writing a will early brings the assurance that your wishes will be fully respected.
For a holographic will to be valid, 3 conditions must be met. It must be written, dated and signed in the testator’s own hand.
Leaving a bequest to one’s parish or to the Archdiocese without wronging one’s godchild
Depending on the degree of kinship of the beneficiary, inheritance tax can be as high as 60 %. Thus, if you bequeath €100,000 to your godchild, he or she will receive only €40,000 after tax. However, the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe is exempt from inheritance tax. You can then appoint the Archdiocese as universal legatee on behalf of your parish for the €100,000, on condition that it hand over 40 % of the estate to your godchild, free of costs and duties. The Archdiocese will pay the inheritance tax in place of your godchild, 60 % of €40,000, that is €24,000. In the end, your parish will therefore be left with €36,000 (€100,000 – (€40,000 + €24,000)) and your godchild will still receive his or her €40,000. The will can then be drafted as follows :
This is my will, which revokes all previous provisions.
I, the undersigned (first name, surname), residing at (address), born on (date) in (town), appoint as my universal legatee the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe, (12, rue Daru 75008 Paris) for my parish (name), (address).
On condition that the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe hand over, free of costs and duties, the specific bequest of a sum of money corresponding to 40% of my net estate, to my godchildren :
• Mrs (First name, Surname), born on (date) in (town), residing at (address).
• Mr (First name, Surname), born on (date) in (town), residing at (address).Done on (date) at (town)
(signature)
And if you choose to name your nephews and nieces in the will, the inheritance tax is then 55 % and the will can be drafted as follows :
This is my will, which revokes all previous provisions.
I, the undersigned (first name, surname), residing at (address), born on (date) in (town), appoint as my universal legatee the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe, (12, rue Daru 75008 Paris) for my parish (name), (address).
On condition that the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe, hand over, free of costs and duties, the specific bequest of a sum of money corresponding to 45% of my net estate, to my nephews and nieces :
• Mrs (First name, Surname), born on (date) in (town), residing at (address).
• Mr (First name, Surname), born on (date) in (town), residing at (address).Done on (date) at (town)
(signature)
Leaving a bequest to one’s parish alone
If I choose to name my parish as the beneficiary of my will, it may take the following form :
This is my will, which revokes all previous provisions.
I, the undersigned (first name, surname), residing at (address), born on (date) in (town), appoint as my universal legatee the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe, (12, rue Daru 75008 Paris) for my parish (name), (address).
Done on (date) at (town)
(signature)
Leaving a bequest to the Archdiocese alone
I can also name the Archdiocese (Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe) as the sole beneficiary of my will, leaving it free, upon the opening of my estate, to distribute my assets among parish or diocesan projects.
My will may take the following form:
This is my will, which revokes all previous provisions.
I, the undersigned (first name, surname), residing at (address), born on (date) in (town), appoint as my universal legatee the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe, (12, rue Daru 75008 Paris).
Done on (date) at (town)
(signature)
The life insurance policy
The holder of a life insurance policy may name, in the beneficiary clause, the Diocesan Governing Union of Russian Orthodox Associations in Western Europe for the benefit of his or her parish. The sums paid are not subject to any taxation. The beneficiary clause may appear either in the life insurance policy itself or in one’s will. The beneficiary clause included in one’s will has two advantages. The first is that the existence of the policy is not overlooked. The second is that one can easily change one’s wishes.