Will donation
How should what I have built in my life continue to have an impact in future generations? Writing a will gives you the opportunity to decide for yourself how your life's work can continue to have an impact in line with your wishes even beyond your lifetime. If the well-being of the world's poorest children is one of the causes closest to your heart, you can make a special contribution to combating child poverty with a legacy donation.
In short...
Worth knowing about our work for a better future for children and young people in Namibia and Zimbabwe.
When does a will make sense?
A will is always advisable if you want to regulate your estate differently from what is provided for by the statutory succession, for example if you want to include people to whom you are not related, specific assets are to go to specific people, or you want to include a charitable organisation in your will with a bequest.
What is the difference between an inheritance and a legacy?
Heirs not only receive the right to access your estate, but also the obligations that come with accepting it, such as administering the estate or repaying debts. A bequest transfers a specific asset without creating any obligations for the beneficiary.
steps for children can receive a bequest of money or assets in kind. As a small foundation with low administrative expenses, we want to ensure that legacy donations directly benefit the children. If we were bequeathed a property, we would use an external administration solution for this purpose so that the bureaucratic workload could be handled professionally.
How do I draw up a will?
A will can be handwritten (i.e. written independently and entirely by hand) or “public” (i.e. notarised by a notary or dictated to one).
Both handwritten and public wills are legally valid if they have been correctly prepared and worded. Consulting a notary can help you minimise the risk of choosing ambiguous wording whose legal validity may be challenged in case of doubt.
How do I keep a will?
A will can be kept in a safe place at your home, ideally one that you inform your relatives about, or placed in official custody at the local court. This incurs costs of 75 € for safekeeping, plus 15 € for registration in the central register of wills. (Source: Federal Ministry of Justice, 2024)
How can I remember steps for children in my will?
You can include steps for children in your will with a bequest of a monetary or in-kind asset of your choice. The following should be noted:
- The bequest must be clearly designated as such
- The full name and address of the foundation must be stated
- The amount/percentage of the legacy must be listed
- Always provide the following information when making a bequest to the steps for children foundation:
steps for children foundationc/o Regus Altona
Ottenser Hauptstraße 2-6
22765 Hamburg
Examples of wording for a will containing a bequest to steps for children can be found in our information brochure on legacy donations.
Can a will be changed?
A will can be revoked at any time. If you want to change your will, you should destroy the outdated will and expressly revoke it in your new, most recent will. Suitable wording for this can be found in the sample wills in our information brochure.
Where can I find information on German inheritance law?
Information on German inheritance law can be found, for example, in the Federal Ministry of Justice's guide “Erben und Vererben”. In complex cases, consultation with a competent notary or a law firm specialising in inheritance law is recommended.
The steps for children foundation would like to thank you on behalf of the children for your special commitment!
*Important note: The information provided on this page has been compiled with care. However, we cannot assume any liability for the completeness, accuracy or currency of the content on this page. The content is intended solely as non-binding guidance. It does not replace individual inheritance law advice, which is why we recommend consulting a competent notary or a law firm specialising in inheritance law. steps for children cannot provide legal advice or information.