A BEQUEST FOR RESEARCH
Allocating all or part of one’s assets to the Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti means providing concrete support for research and giving value to what one owns even when we are no longer here, without taking anything away from legal heirs. In fact, while recognizing the legal rights of heirs, it is always possible to bequeath a portion of one’s estate to research.
In fact, with a legacy gift to Istituto Pasteur Italia you can enable research to find answers to diseases that are still difficult to eradicate today and promote, even in the future, the three pillars of the Institute’s mission: research, training, and dissemination.
Even a small bequest can make a huge difference in the future.
Why make a will
A will is a way to express your wishes and ensure that assets are allocated according to your desires. It is a simple act, takes only a few minutes, and holds great value.
Types of wills
Usually, two types of wills are used: the holographic will and the public will.
Holographic will
It is the simplest and most economical way to express your wishes. It has no cost. It must be written in your own hand, without the need for a notary or witnesses. It must not contain erasures and all words must be clear and legible. It cannot be typed or computer-generated. To be valid, it must be dated and signed by the testator (the person making the will). It must be kept in a safe place or a copy given to a trusted person.
Public will
It is drawn up by a notary, dictated and signed by the testator, in the mandatory presence of two witnesses. It offers greater security against loss, falsification, or destruction of the document. A copy is sent to the General Register of Wills.
Modifying a will
A will can be modified or revoked at any time. A holographic will can be replaced with a public one and vice versa. If you wish to make minor changes, you can add a “codicil”—an addition that modifies or supplements the wishes expressed in a previous will. Naturally, to be valid, changes to a holographic will must be handwritten, dated, and signed with a new signature. A will always remains valid until it is specifically revoked.
Frequently asked questions
Certainly. It is always possible to bequeath a portion of your estate to different subjects, regardless of your family situation. At the time of probate, the assets indicated in the will will go to the subjects chosen by the testator, while the remaining estate will go to the legal heirs. Direct relatives—namely children (and in the event of their death, their children), parents in the absence of children, and the spouse—are entitled to a share of the inheritance, known as the statutory share.
Inheritances and/or bequests are integrated into the Institute's global assets and managed correctly and transparently for the institutional purposes expressed in the Statute.
Bequests to the Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti are exempt from any tax.
You can revoke it at any time, as a will only takes effect upon the death of the testator. At the time of death, only the most recent will will be taken into account.
No. A holographic will can be kept by any person trusted by the testator. Only after the testator's passing must the document be delivered to a Notary, who will proceed with its publication.
No. A photocopy of a holographic will only attests to the existence of an original document, which is the only document that can be published by a Notary.
No. It is preferable to appoint an executor—the person who must ensure that the provisions of the last will are exactly carried out—only if the testamentary provisions or the financial situation are particularly complex.
An inheritance is a universal disposition and can concern the entire estate or shares of the estate (for example: "I leave 1/4 of my assets to..."). A legacy, on the other hand, is a specific disposition (for example: "I leave a property to...").
Istituto Pasteur-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti also has the possibility to accept inheritances and/or bequests involving real estate. These assets will be leased or sold, and the proceeds will be used for the activities provided for in the Statute.
Lynda Romani, the contact person for testamentary bequests at the Pasteur Institute, is always available for any doubts, questions, or clarifications.
Email: l.romani@istitutopasteuritalia.it
Phone: 06 49255625
