Legacy Giving

A will is a statement setting out to whom your estate is to pass, either in full or in part.

A will gives you the opportunity to decide, at your leisure, what should happen to your estate. You can ensure that your wishes are carried out even after your death. Whilst Austrian law provides for statutory succession, this does not necessarily reflect your wishes. If you have no will or next of kin, the Austrian state will ultimately inherit your assets by law. A will counteracts this, provides clarity and prevents misunderstandings or disputes amongst your relatives.

With a bequest, you can leave something to other people or organisations in addition to your heirs. The beneficiary of the bequest is then only entitled to that specific sum or item, e.g. a savings book. The bequest should be set out in the will. Unlike heirs, legatees are not universal successors to the deceased and are generally not liable for the testator’s debts.

For more than 35 years, we have been working to support children and young people in need. Your legacy is a vital part of our work. Through your support, you are helping to ensure that children and young people in the countries where we operate have a way out of poverty and a bright future full of opportunities.

Yes. A will does not mean you have to commit yourself for life. A will can be amended or revoked at any time.

If you do not draw up a will, the statutory order of succession applies:

1. Line: Your own children and their descendants, as well as adopted and illegitimate children
2. Line: Parents and their descendants: siblings, nieces, nephews, as well as grandnieces and grandnephews
3. Line: Grandparents and their descendants: aunts and uncles, cousins, as well as second cousins
4. Line: Great-grandparents (without descendants)
5. Line: In addition to relatives, the spouse and the registered partner also have a statutory right to inherit.

To ensure that your decision is legally valid later on, you should always draw up your will in writing. The simplest option is a holographic will. This involves writing a document by hand and then signing it. If your will is several pages long, it is advisable to sign each individual page. You should date your will, as it is sometimes the case that several wills exist. With the correct dating, your heirs will be able to identify which was actually your last will and testament.

If you would like more detailed information on the different types of wills, you can request our free inheritance guide here.

For more complex inheritance situations or legal queries, the following links provide further information:

• Austrian Chamber of Notaries
• The Austrian Bar Association

In principle, you are entitled to a free initial consultation with a notary of your choice.