We understand that family and loved ones come first when you are writing your Will. However, remembering St Elizabeth’s in your Will would make a valuable and important contribution to our work. Your gift to St Elizabeth’s could be any sum of money, a piece of jewellery or other item.
All St Elizabeth’s supporters are invited to let us know exactly how they would like their gift spent. If you are considering remembering St Elizabeth’s in your Will, you may like to visit our charity and learn first hand how your donation would create a legacy that lasts into the future.
Legacy Information
We would always recommend using a solicitor when making or updating your Will.
Why should I make a Will?
How do I make a Will?
Is using a solicitor important when making a Will?
When is the best time to make my Will?
Can I write my own Will?
Should I tell you if I leave St Elizabeth’s a gift in my Will?
What happens if I change my mind?
What are the tax advantages of leaving money to charity?
What is a Residuary legacy?
What is a Pecuniary legacy?
What is a Specific legacy?
Where should I store my Will?
If you would prefer to receive this information in the post please let us know by contacting St Elizabeth’s.
Write a Will Scheme
The next St Elizabeth’s Write a Will Scheme occurs 14th-25th May 2012. A list of participating solicitors can be found here. Our Write a Will Scheme is an opportunity to get your affairs up to date and support St Elizabeth’s at the same time!
A number of solicitors are offering their time free of charge to prepare or amend your Will in return for a donation to St Elizabeth's Centre. To book an appointment, contact any of the participating solicitors and quote 'St Elizabeth's Write a Will Scheme'. Book now to avoid disappointment (some solicitors are only able to offer a limited number of appointments). If you need guidance on the appropriate level of donation we suggest that you ask the solicitor what their usual fee would be (this will vary from solicitor to solicitor).
Please note, there is no obligation to leave a gift in your Will to St Elizabeth's. However, once you have provided for your loved ones, we hope that you will consider supporting our charity, indeed for some people a donation to St Elizabeth's may lead to a reduction in inheritance tax. The solicitor will calculate your inheritance tax liability and confirm the amount you have saved by leaving a legacy to St Elizabeth's.
Q&As
Why should I make a Will?
A valid, up to date Will is the only way to ensure that your family, friends and the causes you believe in are provided for in the way you wish after you die. If you die without making a Will you are deemed to die ‘intestate’. Your possessions and everything you have worked for during your lifetime are distributed in accordance with strict intestacy rules. Just because you are married or in a civil partnership does not mean you will inherit their estate upon death. In addition, a Will can confirm who you want to look after your children when you die.
How do I make a Will?
Making a will need not be expensive and there are several ways of going about it. It’s best to make an appointment with a solicitor if you want to make a new will or change an existing one. Some events in your life, such as getting married can invalidate an existing will. A will is an important document and without taking expert advice it’s easy to make a mistake. When you’ve made your Will you’ll be reassured that your wishes will be carried out.
Is using a solicitor important when making a Will?
We recommend you use a solicitor when making or updating something as important as your Will to ensure your wishes comply with legal procedures. The process does not need to be lengthy or expensive.
When is the best time to make my Will?
If you are an adult with any assets you should consider making a will regardless of your age, as this will allow you to make sure you have protected your estate and made clear who you wish to benefit from all or part of it.
Can I write my own Will?
Yes, although a ‘Do it yourself Will’ may prove to be a false economy. One tiny error can invalidate the entire Will.
Should I tell you if I leave St Elizabeth's a gift in my Will?
If you do decide to leave a gift to St Elizabeth’s, we would be thrilled to hear about it as it will enable us to thank you for your generosity. It also means that we can plan more securely for the future.
What happens if I change my mind?
Pledging to leave St Elizabeth's a gift in your Will does not commit you in any way at all. A Will is only valid when you die. You are free to change your Will whenever you wish.
What are the tax advantages of leaving money to a charity?
If your estate is valued over the current threshold of £325,000 then 40% inheritance tax will be payable over and above this amount. Legacies to registered charities are exempt from inheritance tax. In certain circumstances, especially with larger estates a charitable bequest can be a useful way to avoid the payment of inheritance tax on some or all of your estate. Your solicitor will calculate your inheritance tax liability and confirm the amount you have saved by leaving a legacy to St Elizabeth’s.
A Residuary legacy is a gift of all or part of your net estate (what remains after all taxes, specific gifts and the cost of administering the estate have been paid). This type of legacy should be expressed as a percentage or share of your estate.
A Pecuniary legacy is a fixed sum of money. It is worth bearing in mind that inflation can erode the value of pecuniary legacies, so it is worth reviewing your Will on a regular basis, whether or not your circumstances change.
A Specific legacy is the gift of a specific item or asset such as shares or jewellery.
Wording examples
'Subject to the payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, I give (the whole/ (insert percentage value) of my estate not otherwise disposed of by this my Will to St Elizabeth’s Centre of Much Hadham Hertfordshire SG10 6EW, registered charity 1068661, for the general purposes of St Elizabeth’s and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.'
The suggested wording to leave a specific sum (pecuniary legacy) is:
'I give free of tax to St Elizabeth’s Centre of Much Hadham, Hertfordshire SG10 6EW, registered charity 1068661, the sum of £________ for the purposes of St Elizabeth’s, and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.'
The suggested wording to leave a specific item is:
'I give to St Elizabeth’s Centre of Much Hadham, Hertfordshire SG10 6EW, registered charity number 1068661, absolutely (write in here whatever you wish to give) for the purpose of St Elizabeth’s Centre, and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.'
Where should I store my Will?
Your Will is one of the most important documents that you will ever write or have written. It contains such vital information as what should happen to your assets after your death; who you wish to provide for; and what, if any, preferences you have with regard to funeral arrangements. Having written a Will it is of the utmost importance that it can be found quickly and easily by those who survive you. The period following the death of a loved one is, of course, traumatic, and those closest to you will have a fairly large amount of work to do in order to ensure that the proper arrangements are made. In order to facilitate this process, you should make every effort to keep your Will in an easily accessible place.
When considering where to store your Will, there is one vital consideration: you must ensure that you tell the Executor named in the document where you are intending on keeping it. Your Executor will have many responsibilities to discharge after your death, most of which cannot be performed until they have been granted probate, which in turn cannot occur before they can prove that they are the named Executor.
We would recommend you store your Will with your Solicitor as the majority of these do this for free and they are insured and have fire proof safes.