Making a will is simpler than you might think, and it can give you peace of mind and ensure that your possessions will be distributed in accordance with your wishes. Leaving a gift means you can continue to do good by making a lasting gift to the world that reflects the values you have held dear during your life.
It is fairly straightforward to do and need not be expensive!
1. Use a solicitor
Whilst online templates and commercial packages exist to enable you to write your own Will, they may not provide sufficient flexibility and different countries within the UK have different legal provisions regarding wills . Wills are also important legal documents and professional advice should always be sought.
If you live in the UK, the following Law Societies can help you in identifying legal firms/specialist solicitors who deal with the drafting of wills:
The Law Society of England and Wales:
The Law Society’s Hall 113 Chancery Lane London WC2A 1PL Tel: 020 7241 1222 |
The Law Society of Scotland
Atria One 144 Morrison Street Edinburgh EH3 8EX Tel: 0131 226 7411 |
Law Society Office in Wales
Capital Towere Greyfriars Road Cardiff CF10 3AG Tel: 029 2064 5254 |
The Law Society of Northern Ireland
96 Victoria Street Belfast County Antrim BT1 3GN Tel: 028 9023 1614 |
If you live outside the UK, The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners Limited (STEP) may be able to help – www.step.org.uk
2. Plan before you visit your solicitor
Complete the Will Checklist. It will help you plan and could save you money.
3. Look after family and friends first
Then you can consider what you might leave to charity.
4. Review your Will regularly
Changes in personal, family or economic circumstances may mean you need to change your Will accordingly.
The kinds of legacies
1. Residuary
This is a share or percentage of the remaining estate after all debt, expenses and other specific legacies have been paid.
We suggest the following wording for a Residuary Legacy to FND Hope UK:
I direct my Trustees to make over ___% of the residue of my estate to FND Hope UK, Registered Charity England & Wales 1173607 or Scotland SC048333 of 21 Chetwode, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 1QN, for its charitable purposes. I further direct that the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper officer of FND Hope UK for the time being shall be a full and final sufficient discharge for the said legacy.
2. Pecuniary
This is a fixed amount of money. It can be index-linked to secure its future value.
We suggest the following wording for a Pecuniary Legacy to FND Hope UK:
I direct my Trustees to give to FND Hope UK, Registered Charity in England & Wales 1173607 or Scotland SC048333 of 21 Chetwode, Banbury, Oxfordshire. OX16 1QN, the sum of £ _______ for its charitable purposes. I further direct that the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper officer of FND Hope UK for the time being shall be a full and final sufficient discharge for the said legacy.
3. Specific
This is a specific asset or item such as property, shares or jewellery.
We suggest the following wording for leaving a Specific Legacy to FND Hope UK:
I direct my Trustees to give to FND Hope UK, Registered Charity in England & Wales 1173607 or Scotland SC048333 of 21 Chetwode, Banbury, Oxfordshire, OX16 1QN,________________ (name of specific asset(s) or item(s)) for its charitable purposes. I further direct that the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer or other proper officer of FND Hope UK for the time being shall be a full and final sufficient discharge for the said legacy.
Preparing to visit your solicitor
It’s good to organise your thoughts before visiting your solicitor to make or amend a Will. Below are some things they and you will find useful to have prepared before you meet.
- A list of assets and liabilities (see chart on the next page).
- List of legacies to family, friends and charity of pecuniary, residuary and specific gifts (see definitions on previous page).
- A note of any property or possessions held jointly with someone else.
- The name and addresses of the people you would like to be your executors and trustees. The same people can act as both executors and trustees. An executor is your legal representative following your death and it is the duty of your executor(s) to wind up your estate.
- The name and addresses of the people you would like to be the guardians of your children if they lack full legal capacity, if applicable.
- The arrangements you would like to be made for the care of your dependent relative(s).
- Details of your preferred funeral arrangements with information and instructions for your relatives/executor(s) .
- Your previous Will (if applicable) and any other documents which may be helpful.
- A list of questions you may have.
Estimating the value of your estate – your assets and liabilities
Completing this form before you visit your solicitor to make or amend your Will can help you plan how you might distribute your estate.
Assets (everything you own):
Item | Amount £ |
---|---|
Your Home (present value) | |
Land or other property | |
Car | |
Furniture | |
Other household effects | |
Jewelry and valuables | |
Estimated amount in Bank and Building society account(s) | |
National Savings certificates and Premium Bonds | |
Stocks, shares, bonds and unit and investment trusts | |
Life assurance/insurance policies (including mortgage protection) | |
Pension death benefits | |
Death in service benefits (if you are working and it applies) | |
Other savings and cash | |
Money owed to you (by whom and amounts): | |
Anything else of value | |
Total Assets (sum of the above) |
Liabilities (everything you owe):
Item | Amount £ |
---|---|
Mortgage (current outstanding balance) | |
Bank Loan | |
Hire purchase agreements | |
Credit Card and store card debts | |
Other debts | |
Any other money you owe (to whom and amounts): | |
Total Liabilities (sum of the above) |
Total assets less total liabilities = estimated value of estate | £ |
---|
Frequently Asked Questions
If I leave a gift in my Will to FND Hope UK, can I have a say in how it’s used?
It is most helpful for us to use your gift where it is needed most but please send us an email and we can arrange to discuss this with you.
Do I have to tell you if I have included, or am thinking of including, (charity name) in my Will?
Please don’t feel you have to tell us, we respect your privacy. But if you do choose to let us know, it gives us an opportunity to thank you, and to answer any questions you might have
You’d be welcome to meet us in person, and perhaps come and look round the office if you would like.
We can make sure you’re invited to any special events we hold.
We can also ensure you are kept updated on the progress we’re making in relation to the furtherment of understanding about, and treatment for, people with FND and their carers(details), so that you can feel confident that you’ve made the right decision by leaving a legacy to us.
If you don’t already receive regular updates from (charity name) about our projects and other relevant news, please do sign up (instructions for post, online etc)
I’d like to include FND Hope UK in my Will, but how will my family feel about it?
We understand that family and friends come first. All we ask is that you consider leaving us a legacy, be it residuary, pecuniary or specific.
What if I have other questions?
Please contact us and we’ll do what we can to help.