Wills & legacies

With a legacy you give hope that outlives you. You make flights possible to people who are cut off from the world, and open up routes where there were none before.

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Including MAF in your will

For hope that lives on

A legacy or bequest is a gift made to an organisation such as MAF Switzerland in your will. You can leave us a specific sum of money, a share of your estate or physical assets (see Swiss Civil Code, Art. 484 ff.). These are your options:

Including MAF in your will

A specific sum

With a cash legacy you leave MAF a fixed sum.

Example:
"I bequeath to MAF Switzerland, with its registered office at Bahnhofstrasse 22, 4900 Langenthal, the sum of CHF [amount in figures and words], to be used for [focus area (optional)]."

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Share of the estate

A percentage of your estate

With a share legacy you leave MAF a percentage of your estate.

Example:
"I bequeath to MAF Switzerland, with its registered office at Bahnhofstrasse 22, 4900 Langenthal, [percentage]% of my entire estate, to be used for [focus area (optional)]."

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Residuary legacy (universal legacy)

Whatever remains after the statutory entitlements

With a residuary legacy (also called a universal legacy) you bequeath whatever remains once the statutory entitlements have been accounted for.

Example:
"Heirs with a statutory entitlement: my legal forced heirs [names] receive their statutory share. Residuary legacy: I bequeath the remaining freely disposable part of my estate to MAF Switzerland, with its registered office at Bahnhofstrasse 22, 4900 Langenthal, to be used for [focus area (optional)]."

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Legacy in kind

Securities, jewellery, property and more

If you would like to leave us securities, property or other physical assets, we would be delighted. We are happy to advise you so that everything runs smoothly.

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Legacy, inheritance or lifetime gift?

Including MAF in your will

In many cases a legacy is the simplest way to include a gift to MAF in your will. But it is not the only option:

Bequest / legacy

With a legacy or bequest, MAF does not become part of the community of heirs but receives a set amount or specific assets independently of it.

Inheritance

If you would like to leave MAF an inheritance, this includes a percentage share of your assets as well as any debts of the community of heirs.

Lifetime gift

With a lifetime gift you pass a certain sum of money or an item to MAF during your lifetime, without expecting anything specific in return.

Every contribution counts

What your legacy can achieve

If particular areas are close to your heart, we will of course use your legacy where you want it: Health and hygiene, Nutrition and income, Education and skills development, Disaster relief or Faith and hope. Without a specified purpose, we invest your money where it is needed most. Here is a rough idea of what your legacy can achieve:

A small legacy

Makes individual flights possible, for example for emergency missions or to open up places that are cut off.

A medium-sized legacy

Secures supply flights over a longer period and so gives planning certainty to us and to others.

A larger legacy

Lets us build infrastructure, for example airstrips, finance aircraft or connect whole regions.

We bring hope and build livelihoods.

Our work

A legally valid will in 6 steps

How do I write my will?

The simplest version is one written entirely by hand. Alternatively, you can have a will drawn up digitally (or a public will) certified by a notary. For two or more people, such as a married couple, a contract of succession can be a good choice. Whichever form you choose, follow these steps when drawing it up:

List of assets

Start by getting an overview: what do you own? List everything: sums of money, securities, furniture, cars, jewellery, musical instruments, works of art and property. Assign realistic values to each item.

Heirs and legacies

Consider which people (and/or organisations) matter to you and whom you would like to include in your will. Bear in mind any statutory entitlements and identify everyone by (company) name, first name, address and date of birth.

Executor

Who should carry out your last wishes? Choose someone you trust and name them in the will. Then let that person know. It can be a family member or friend, a notary, a lawyer or a fiduciary.

Writing the will

Set out your last wishes. Head the document "Will", give your surname, first name, place of residence and date of birth. Name your heirs, legacies and executor. Add the current date and sign it, stating the place.

Depositing the will

Tell your executor where you keep the handwritten will. For a public will or a contract of succession, and in more complex cases, it is best to consult a professional (e.g. a notary's office or a law firm).

Changing the will

Review your will regularly to check that it still reflects your wishes. If your wishes have changed or people (and/or organisations) have been added, write your will out afresh and destroy all previous versions.

Free Swiss will generator

Your model will from DeinAdieu

The free will generator from the Swiss online portal "DeinAdieu" takes you step by step through drawing up your will. The portal supports you through the process and calculates concrete figures for your situation (for example any statutory entitlements).

At the end you receive your model will, which you can then write out by hand, date and sign so that it is legally valid.

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Including MAF with a clear conscience

Your reassurance

A legacy is a very personal decision. You are entrusting us with something meant to have an effect beyond your own life. We value that trust and take it seriously: your legacy is in good hands with us.

ZEWO certification

The certification confirms it: we meet the highest standards of transparency and use of our resources.

Discretion assured

If we learn of your legacy gift before your death, your decision naturally remains confidential for as long as you wish.

Revocable at any time

You can revoke or amend a will, and the legacies set out in it, at any time up until your death.

Used as specified

Your legacy is demonstrably used for the purpose you specify (where one has been set). Without a specified purpose, it goes where it is needed most.

Dependable since 1945

We have been flying humanitarian missions for over 80 years. That continuity guarantees your legacy is in good hands.

Tax considerations

Inheritance tax – or not?

In most Swiss cantons, non-profit organisations such as MAF are exempt from inheritance tax or benefit from reduced rates. That means your legacy reaches MAF in full, or largely so, with no tax deducted.

The exact rules vary from canton to canton. We recommend asking your tax authority or a professional about the provisions in your canton.

Contact your tax authority