How to leave a gift to Brain Tumour UK in your will
Gift in your will
Here you can find out how to leave a gift in your Will and who to go to for detailed advice.
How do I make a will?
It is advisable to have even a simple Will drawn up by a solicitor, as problems can arise after your death. There are particular words and phrases which may have a special meaning in law. There are also detailed rules for signing and witnessing Wills.
- Write a list of everything you own and its value.
- Share your estate amongst those you wish to benefit, naming any specific items or sums you wish to leave to a particular friend or relative.
- Parents should specify who they want as guardians for their children. Doing this helps the court at what can be a very sad time.
- Consider whether you would like to support Brain Tumour UK
- Decide who you would like as an Executor to your will. An Executor is someone you have named in your will to make sure your wishes and instructions are carried out when you die.
Why should I make a will?
Many of us keep putting it off - only one person in three in the UK actually makes a Will.
Leaving a legacy to Brain Tumour UK is one very good reason for making or changing your Will, as we really need to have funds that we can rely on for the future. Brain Tumour UK is currently a small charity, with boundless vision, yet limited resources. Each legacy we receive will expand our research programme and get information and support out to those who need it most - and when they need it.
However, there are many other reasons:
- If you die without leaving a Will, all that you own will not necessarily go to the people that you wish. The only way to prevent this is by having an up-to-date Will. In this way you can protect your loved ones and make sure that they are provided for. At the same time it will relieve the anxiety for your loved ones when they are settling your affairs.
- Your Will should take account of any changes in your circumstances and therefore you need to regularly review it at least every two years. You may have just married, become a parent or a grandparent or recently retired. For smaller changes to an existing Will, it is not always necessary to rewrite the whole Will; instead a simple statement called a codicil is usually all that is needed.
- The way that an existing Will is written may not best reflect changes in the value of your assets. It is important to remember the effects of inflation. Over time this will reduce the value of a specific cash sum. Therefore you may wish to revise the wording of your Will to leave percentages rather than fixed sums as cash gifts.
- Depending on the value of your possessions you may be liable for Inheritance Tax and by updating your Will with a gift to a charity you could avoid this.
It's easy to do - read Tony and Annette's story.
Choosing a solicitor
Making a Will isn't as expensive as most people think but because it is a legal document we strongly advise you to use a solicitor. Doing so will ensure that your Will is legally correct and that all your wishes can be carried out.
If you don't already have a solicitor and don't know whom you might approach then contact the following for a list of solicitors in your area:
Talk to us
If you would like to talk to us in confidence about leaving a gift in your Will, please email the Fundraising Team or telephone 01494 549185. We will be glad to visit you or invite you to one of our support groups or events to see how your gift can really make a difference to those affected by brain tumours.
We are producing a friendly leaflet with lots of advice about leaving a gift in your Will and how your gift can make a real difference. Please contact us if you would like to receive a copy when it is ready.
