Q. Why should I make a will?
Having an up-to-date Will is the only way to ensure your family, friends, and the charities you care about are provided for in the way you want. Without a Will, the law decides where your money and possessions will go and sorting your affairs can be costly and stressful for your family after you die.
Q. I'm not wealthy - can I still make a difference?
Absolutely. Every gift, regardless of size, makes a big difference so please donate whatever you are comfortable with.
Q. What types of gifts can I leave in my will?
There are three ways of leaving a gift in your Will.
- A cash gift is a fixed amount of money of your choice.
- You can choose to leave specific items in your Will, such as jewelry, household items or property.
- You can also choose to leave a residuary gift, which is a percentage or share of the balance of your estate once all other payments and gifts have been made. Leaving a share of your estate is a way of helping the Hospice of St Francis in the future without having to decide on a precise sum today.
Q. When should I write or update my Will?
A Will is such an important part of life planning, and we all need one, especially if we have experienced a significant change in our lives such as buying a property, getting married (or divorced!), having children, taking a long holiday, or entering retirement.
Q. Can you help me to write or amend my Will?
We understand that drawing up a Will can be overwhelming so would strongly advise you either approach a recommended solicitor or use Octopus Legacy, our online partner, who can help you write a Will in just 30 minutes, for free. Whilst it is possible to draft your own Will, we would highly recommend you seek legal advice as the smallest mistake can render your Will invalid.
A codicil form is also available should you wish to make any minor changes to an existing Will.
Q. What are the tax advantages of leaving money to charity?
Leaving a gift in your Will can be a very tax efficient way of giving to a charity or supporting your local community.
Gifts left to charities, such as the Hospice of St Francis, are exempt of inheritance tax and if you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, it will reduce the amount of inheritance tax your beneficiaries would have to pay.
Your solicitor will be able to give you more detailed advice of the tax implications of leaving a gift in your Will.
Q. Can the Hospice of St Francis act as an Executor for my estate?
Unfortunately, we are not able to take on the role of Executor so would encourage you to ask a trusted family member, friend, or a solicitor.
Q. What if I want to change my Will in the future?
It is a good idea to review your Will every few years or after a major life event such as having children. You can either write a new Will or, if the changes are small, you can make them with a ‘Codicil’ which is a document that supplements your original Will.
Q. If I want to include a gift to the Hospice of St Francis in my Will, what information do I need to include?
Firstly, thank you so much for leaving a gift to the Hospice of St Francis – we are extremely grateful.
To include the Hospice of St Francis in your Will, you need our name, address, and registered charity number:
- The Hospice of St Francis, Spring Garden Lane, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 3GW
- Charity registration number: 280825
Q. Who can I contact at the Hospice of St Francis if I have any questions or need help?
We are unable to offer legal advice but if you are keen to learn more about how we can help you or discuss the difference a gift in your Will can make, please contact Aoife Burnell-Smith, Supporter Engagement Manager, at the Hospice of St Francis.
Aoife (pronounced eefa) can be contacted via email on aoife.burnell-smith@stfrancis.org.uk or by phone on 01442 869 555.
