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November is Will Aid month!
Will Aid. Make a will - make a difference
If you choose to write your will through Will Aid (which takes place throughout November), instead of paying a solicitor, you can donate the fee a solicitor would normally charge to the nine participating charities (which includes the NSPCC).
Whether or not you choose to leave a gift to the NSPCC in your will, it’s important to keep an up-to-date will, to protect your loved ones and make sure your wishes are carried out.
For more information about Will Aid, including details of your local Will Aid solicitors, please visit www.willaid.org.uk .
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Just follow these simple steps:
Make a note of the people you want to include in your will. Don’t assume the people closest to you will automatically benefit – you need to make a will to be certain this happens. If you don’t state your wishes in your will, the court will decide who benefits.
After you have remembered your family and friends, please consider a special gift to the NSPCC. Even a small donation in your will could be enough to protect a child from harm.
There are several ways you can leave a gift in your will.
You can leave a percentage of your estate
A gift that is a percentage of whatever is left, once your family and friends have been remembered, is a great way to leave a gift to the NSPCC in your will. A percentage gift (which your solicitor may describe as a ‘residuary gift’) is both inflation-proof and won’t diminish what you pass on to your relatives; it’s also the safest option if you are worried about having to pay for care for yourself or your partner later in life.
An example of a residuary legacy is: “I leave xx per cent of the residue of my estate to NSPCC, Weston House, 42 Curtain Road, London, EC2A 3NH. Registered Charity No: 216401.”
You can leave a sum of money
A pecuniary legacy is a set sum of money, so be aware that inflation may well reduce its value over time. (For example, a gift of £1,000 written into a will in 1993 would now be worth less than £600.)
You can leave a specific item
You can also choose to leave specific items like jewellery or a painting to people or causes. You might want to consider taking a photo of the item and keeping it with your will to help avoid confusion when sorting out your estate.
3. Decide who will ensure your wishes are carried outExecutors are people, nominated by you, who have a legal duty to settle your affairs after you have died. Having a legally drawn will makes this much easier for them. It’s usual to have two executors but you can have up to four. It’s wise to ask people if they are willing to carry out the task before you see your solicitor. The NSPCC can act as executor if you leave a gift in your will to the charity.
The safest way of making a will is to use a solicitor. You should not try and write your own will or use someone who isn’t properly qualified; your will is one of the most important documents you will ever sign. A solicitor can also help you try to minimise the inheritance tax payable on your estate. If you don’t know a solicitor, the NSPCC can help you find one in your area. We may also be able to advise you of any special offers being run by solicitors, such as Will Aid.
A simple will costs between £50 and £100 on average. If you’ve already made a will and would like to amend it, try to find a copy to take to the solicitor.
Our Legacy gift advisors can advise you on all aspects of making a will and give you more information about the NSPCC. Although they are not financial advisors and cannot write your will for you, they can help you with your preparations. To find out more or to contact your local Legacy gift advisor, simply complete the Enquiry Form .
We’ve prepared a useful form that you can use to make sure you have all the information you need before you see a solicitor. The form will help you do the sums to help you plan, and you can print it out and take it to your meeting. It will save time and make the process easier for you and your solicitor.
Drafting your will
(PDF,
37.1kb)
Our free downloadable guidance leaflet covers some of the points above, and more.
Legacy Information guide
(PDF,
485.2kb)
The following website also offers useful advice on making a will: www.rememberacharity.org.uk
Copyright © 2006 NSPCC - All rights reserved. National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Weston House, 42
Curtain Road, London EC2A 3NH. Incorporated by Royal Charter. Registered charity number 216401. NSPCC, charity registered in Scotland, charity number SC037717.