Leaving A Lasting Legacy: Remembering A Charity In Your Will
A Will is more than an important document; it is an opportunity to make your wishes clear and provide peace of mind for you and your loved ones. Whether you want to provide for family and friends, leave specific gifts, or support a cause close to your heart, having a valid Will ensures your wishes are known.
Why is having a Will important?
A well-drafted Will is an important part of Lifetime Planning, allowing you to set out clearly how you wish your estate to be dealt with after your death, and who will benefit from it.
When you die without a Will in place, the law decides who will inherit your estate with intestacy rules determining who receives your money, property and possessions. Typically, a spouse or civil partner has priority followed by children and then other relatives such as parents, siblings and more distant relatives. An unmarried partner does not automatically inherit your estate, even if you live with them.
Where there is no Will, the closest eligible relative will normally be appointed the administrator and deal with your estate.
If there are no eligible relatives, the estate can then be passed to the Crown as bona vacantia. By making a Will, you can decide exactly who you want to benefit from your estate, including charities and causes that are important to you.
Remember a Charity
With Remember a Charity Week taking place from 7-13 September, it is a timely opportunity to consider the difference a gift in your Will could make.
Leaving a gift to a charity in your Will is a meaningful way to support a cause that matters to you and create a lasting legacy. Whether it is a charity you have supported throughout your life, or a cause that has had a personal impact, your gift could help make a difference for generations to come.
If you are considering making or updating your Will, our Lifetime Planning team can help you understand your options and ensure your wishes are properly reflected.
For expert legal advice and guidance, JCP can help. Contact Beverley Bowen on beverley.bowen@jcpsolicitors.co.uk 01792 525458.