At Bequest Assist, we help ensure that the generosity expressed in a person’s Will reaches the causes they cared about most. Our team of compassionate and experienced estate administrators support charities across Australia and New Zealand, so they can stay focused on what they do best: making a difference. 

We are not a charity, and we are not a law firm. We are a specialist organisation built to honour generosity, amplify goodwill, and help every final gift go further. 

Today we work for more than 40 charities and aim to make things easier and more efficient for not only charities, but executors and solicitors as well. When you speak to us, we may be assisting multiple charity beneficiaries - meaning fewer emails and phone calls for you! We can sign forms and confirm bank details for all of our clients, reducing your administration time and costs on the estate.  

Estate administration is a highly specialised area that is quite different from the day-to-day work of a charity. Just as many organisations outsource legal or accounting work, a growing number of charities are engaging Bequest Assist to manage their estate administration.  

This allows for the charity to focus on its vital programs while having confidence that their bequests are being managed with care and expertise.  

At Bequest Assist, estate administration is out sole focus. All of our knowledge and experience is directed towards ensuring that every estate is managed fairly, efficiently and with respect. Our goal is to see bequestors’ legacies honoured and their gifts directed in full to the charities they chose to support.  

Importantly, we do not charge charities commission or hourly fees. Instead, our service is provided for a modest fixed monthly fee. This model encourages efficiency and ensures the maximum possible benefit flows to the charity’s work.  

Bequest Assist routinely requests copies of estate documents from executors and solicitors. The type of documents we may request depend on the type of gift left to the charity, but can include: 

• A copy of the Will 

• Inventory of assets and liabilities (typically filed with the probate application, or held by the Executor in QLD or NZ) 

• A final statement of accounts once the estate is finalised 

Charities have both legal and regulatory responsibilities when receiving gifts under Wills. They are monitored by the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (or Charities Services in New Zealand) and are often audited to ensure they are acting with transparency and accountability. 

Providing copies of relevant documents allows the charity to: 

• Confirm and administer the gift in accordance with the Will 

• Meet financial reporting and compliance obligations 

• Plan and deliver charitable programs with confidence 

For example, we have seen cases where documents revealed that a different branch of a charity was named, or that the gift carried a restriction on how it could be used. Behind every bequest is a generous individual, and we are committed to ensuring their wishes are honoured with care. 

Estate taxation can be complex, particularly where property, shares, or other investment assets are involved.  

When charities are beneficiaries, special tax exemptions may apply. Unfortunately, we sometimes see estates pay tax unnecessarily when these exemptions are overlooked.  

We recommend seeking specialist taxation advice, particularly if the estate includes: 

• Investment assets such as shares  

• Real estate that was not the deceased’s principal place of residence  

• Any potential Capital Gains Tax (CGT) liabilities  

Not all accountants are familiar with the rules that apply when charities are beneficiaries. While we do not provide financial advice, the following professionals are known to have experience in this area: 

• Jamie Towers – Forvis Mazars Australia 

  jamie.towers@mazars.com.au | (07) 3218 3900 

• Ian Raspin – BNR Partners 

  iraspin@bnrpartners.com.au | (03) 9781 6800 

• Melanie Costin – T&E Accounting 

  mcostin@trustandestate.com.au | 1300 082 633 

We have also been involved in many estates where the executor or solicitor has had difficulty identifying and calling in all of the shares and dividends owned by the deceased (for example because there was limited record-keeping or the deceased held many shares). JM Investments are a firm specialised in this area that we have seen executors and solicitors work with to great success.   

Both Bequest Assist and our charity clients are extremely grateful when solicitors reduce or waive fees in estates where charities are beneficiaries. This ensures more of the bequestor’s gift goes directly to their chosen causes. 

If you let us know, we will arrange for the charity to provide a formal letter of thanks, which may also be useful for your records or accountant. 

When Bequest Assist first writes to an executor or solicitor, we provide a document titled Banking and Important Information for the charity concerned. This document includes the charity’s bank account details along with other useful information. 

If you do not have a copy of this document, please let us know and we will happily resend it to you. When you are ready to make a transfer, please call us on (03) 8839 1435 to confirm.  

Please note that Bequest Assist does not operate a trust account. Funds are paid directly to the charity recipient and you will receive a receipt directly from the charity once funds have been processed.  

You can get in touch with us at info@bequestsassist.com.au or call (03) 8839 1435 and we’ll be happy to assist.