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Legacies and
inheritances

Your inheritance, bequest (legacy) or gift will help to provide affordable holidays for disadvantaged families.

While most of us would prefer not to think of our death, it’s worth taking time to consider how we’d like to pass on our legacy. What would you like to pass on, and to whom? What are the causes that are close to your heart? Setting out your intentions in a will or inheritance contract will create clarity for you and your loved ones.

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Holidays for all, thanks to your will

An inheritance or bequest (legacy) will allow you to support causes that are important to you following your death. You can help others by including charitable organizations such as the Reka Foundation for Holiday Aid in your will, making affordable holidays in Switzerland possible for families or single parents on a tight budget. Your contribution will enable children to enjoy a holiday to remember.

Thanks to the new inheritance law as of 1 January 2023, you now have more freedom in terms of the arrangements you make – go to www.admin.ch or contact your notary for more information.

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How do legacies and inheritance work?

You can appoint the Reka Foundation for Holiday Aid as your heir or make a bequest in your will. The compulsory portions and formal requirements (handwritten will, place and date, signature at the end, etc.) need to be taken into account when drafting your will – and we’ll be happy to help you with this.

Contact us
Your bequest can help to make the dream of an unforgettable holiday come true for children and parents affected by poverty.
President of the Foundation Board
Gabriela Lenherr

Frequently asked questions about inheritance and legacies

What is a person’s estate made up of?
An estate is all of the property left behind by a person (testator) after their death. This includes money, securities, land or real estate and personal property. Obligations to third parties such as mortgages, debts or loans also form part of the estate.
When is a contract of inheritance preferable to a will?
It’s worth considering an inheritance contract if the following applies to you:
  • You are married but have no children.
  • You are in a common-law marriage or registered partnership.
  • You are single.
  • You have children from different marriages or godchildren, stepchildren and foster children.  
  • You own a home.
  • You need to arrange the succession of your company.
  • You want to prevent your assets from being divided.
  • You want to donate to a charitable organization.
What’s the difference between a bequest (legacy) and an inheritance?
The terms “bequest” and “legacy” are interchangeable. With a bequest, personal property or a specific amount of money is left to a person or an institution. With an inheritance, on the other hand, not only are shares of assets transferred to the community of heirs, but also obligations (e.g. debts). The law of inheritance governs legal succession and the compulsory portions of inheritance.
How do heirs and legatees differ?
Heirs inherit an estate, with the rights and obligations this entails. They become part of a community of heirs and also assume the debts of the deceased. Legatees, on the other hand, receive only a certain portion of the estate. They do not become part of the community of heirs, and thus do not assume any debts. They only have a claim for restitution vis-à-vis the community of heirs.
What’s the compulsory share, and what is the free portion?
The compulsory share is due to the heirs (spouse and children) protected in accordance with inheritance law, while the rest can be freely disposed of. The free portion was increased on the introduction of the new inheritance law as of 1 January 2023, which means that you can now dispose freely of a larger part of your estate in your will. The compulsory share for the spouse and children is ¼ of the inheritance each, and the free portion is ½. This portion can, for example, be considered for a bequest to a charitable organization.
I would like to donate part of my estate to charity. Which is better – inheritance or a bequest (legacy)?
In principle, both are possible. A legacy can be straightforward because a specific amount is transferred to the charitable organization, and there are no obligations or debts to consider. The organization does not become part of the community of heirs. If, on the other hand, a large part or all of the assets are bequeathed to a sole heir and the debts are significantly smaller, the organization can also accept the inheritance. In this case, the inheritance may be associated with certain obligations, i.e. conditions that have to be met.
How can I support the Reka Foundation for Holiday Aid as heir or legatee, for example?
A will or contract of succession is required in order to appoint an heir or make a bequest. Certain formalities apply in both cases in order to make sure they are valid – feel free to contact us if you have any questions about this. When you write your will, it’s important to include both the name and address of the charity concerned. If only a general purpose is stated, such as health, children, or the environment, the court will decide who benefits.
Why should I support Holiday Aid?
Families who are affected by poverty go without a great deal in their everyday lives, and the chance to enjoy a holiday together is a rare occurrence. Especially for children, it’s important to get some distance from their difficult everyday lives and experience a holiday to remember – and this is where your support comes in.
What happens with my support?
Your contribution enables children and adults who are in a difficult financial situation or have experienced a setback in life to take some time out. A break in a Reka holiday apartment or youth hostel in Switzerland offers a chance for families or single parents to enjoy a memorable experience with their children. And not only that – you’ll also be helping to provide summer camps for children and young people with an impairment. This means we can give everyone a chance to enjoy some time away.

Would you like to find out more?

Your contact

Kontakt Julia Scheidegger

Julia Scheidegger

General Manager
holidayaid@reka.ch+41 31 329 66 80

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Reka Foundation for Holiday Aid
Neuengasse 15
CH-3001 Bern

IBAN CH87 0900 0000 1549 76256

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