It can give peace of mind to know how your estate will be distributed. By including Rescue Zoo in your will, you ensure that our work rescuing and caring for exotic animals in need can continue for many years to come.
A will gives you control over who inherits after you. You can choose to include Odsherred Zoo Rescue with an amount, a percentage of your estate, or a specific asset. As an approved organisation, Rescue Zoo receives your gift without deduction of inheritance tax.
Under Danish inheritance law, your spouse and any children have a statutory right to part of your estate (tvangsarv). The remaining portion, your free estate (friarv), can be freely distributed, including to charitable causes such as Rescue Zoo.
The 30-percent rule is a Danish arrangement where one or more charitable organisations are included in your will and receive 30 percent of the estate. In return, the organisation pays the inheritance and supplementary estate taxes for the other heirs.
For heirs who would otherwise be subject to both estate tax and supplementary estate tax, for example nieces, nephews, or close friends, this arrangement can mean they actually receive more. Whether it is an advantage depends on who your heirs are and the size of the estate. A solicitor can help you assess whether the 30-percent rule makes sense in your situation.
Decide who should inherit and how much. You can include both your loved ones and Rescue Zoo, for example via the 30-percent rule. A solicitor can help draft the will, but is not a legal requirement.
In Denmark, a will can be created as a notarial will (notartestamente) at the notary of the district court (byretten), or as a witnessed will (vidnetestamente) signed by two witnesses. A notarial will is centrally registered and automatically located by the authorities.
If you choose a notarial will, it is created at the notary of the district court. The court fee for the notary's endorsement and registration is 300 DKK.
As an approved charitable organisation, Rescue Zoo is exempt from estate and supplementary estate taxes. This means the full amount you bequeath goes directly to the animals.
Yes, as a general rule you can change or revoke your will. The change must follow the same formal requirements as the original creation. A notarial will must be changed or revoked at the notary of the district court. A solicitor can assist with the process.
Yes, you can specify wishes for how your gift should be used, for example food, veterinary care, or maintenance of a specific enclosure. We always strive to honour donors' wishes.
The cost depends on your solicitor. The court fee for the notary's endorsement and registration of the will is 300 DKK. Contact us to hear about your options.
Your legacy goes directly to animal welfare: daily care, food, veterinary visits, enrichment, and maintenance of enclosures and habitats.
We're happy to tell you more about what a legacy gift can mean for the animals. Contact us for a no-obligation conversation.
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