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Bequests, Donations, Life Insurance: Your Questions, Our Answers
Are bequests, gifts, or life insurance complicated? Not nearly as much as we generally think. But the very specific nature of this form of support raises many questions. Here are the answers to the most common questions.
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Phone: +33 (0)1 42 11 57 86
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No. People often mistakenly believe that bequests, gifts, and life insurance policies all involve large sums of money, but any transfer of assets—even the most modest—is extremely valuable to us. In fact, there is no minimum amount required to make a bequest, purchase a life insurance policy, or make a gift.
No. Again, we all tend to think this is a decision for older people, but there’s no minimum age for planning your estate! Protecting your children and building a legacy that will outlive you are essential steps that can be taken at any stage of your life.
Your legal heirs (descendants, ascendants, or surviving spouse if there are no children) are protected by the portion of the estate to which they are automatically and mandatorily entitled: the reserved share, which ranges from one-half to three-quarters of your estate. The transfer of assets to another person can only be made from the remaining portion. Your heirs are therefore never shortchanged. And making a bequest or purchasing a life insurance policy to advance medical research against cancer and support the work of Gustave Roussy also means passing on to them the hope of a future where cancer can be cured.
Consult your notary, who is a true expert in estate planning. No matter what your plans may be, he or she will be able to advise you on the best course of action. We also invite you to contact: Mathilde Hérault or Célina Daniel, who are responsible for charitable giving and testator relations; they will answer all your questions with the utmost discretion at 01 42 11 57 86 or 01 42 11 55 71.
Maître Garnot-Breton, a volunteer notary, answers six questions about gifts:
Yes, a will is required because it is the only recognized and valid written document for bequeathing your estate to a legal entity such as the Gustave Roussy Institute or Foundation. Whether drafted by you or by a notary, it must specify the beneficiary of your bequest with the utmost precision.
You may change your will and the beneficiary of your life insurance policy at any time. Only a gift becomes final upon the signing of the deed.
Yes, you can bequeath all or part of your estate to several nonprofit organizations or foundations. However, it is recommended that you limit the number of beneficiary organizations to ensure the bequest is managed effectively.
Of course, you may be particularly eager to support a specific research project based on your personal history. However, your donation must be designated for a specific type of cancer, and you’ll need to verify that Gustave Roussy does indeed have a research team working on that type of cancer. If you’d like to do so, please feel free to contact Mathilde Hérault at 01 42 11 57 86 or Célina Daniel at 01 42 11 55 71, or email legs@gustaveroussy.fr
Real estate bequeathed to Gustave Roussy or his Foundation is generally sold to support our research and patient care initiatives.
Because bequests, donations, and life insurance are the most valuable resources for the future of our efforts to fight cancer, we provide personalized, long-term support to everyone who has placed their trust in us: regular updates on our Institute’s latest news and projects, a dedicated phone line for testator relations (Mathilde Hérault at 01 42 11 57 86 or Célina Daniel at 01 42 11 55 71) to answer all your questions, and a recognition program for our benefactors… Gustave Roussy stands by your side in all circumstances.