How do I make a Will?
You should always use a solicitor to write your Will. The British Liver Trust works with two partners, Bequeathed and Octopus Legacy, who provide online Will writing services with solicitor support. Before you speak to a solicitor or Will writing service they will need you to have an idea of what you own and what it’s worth. Don’t worry, this only needs to be a rough starting point. Remember a Charity have a comprehensive step by step guide to get you started, available here.
Bequeathed and Octopus Legacy offer slightly different services, so you can choose the best fit for you.
Bequeathed
- Free Will For Good for single and joint Wills
- Covers the whole UK
- Up to 30 minutes of expert advice from accredited legal firms
- No fee for making changes to your Will
- Get started by completing an online questionnaire in as little as 20 minutes
- Phone, video call, home visits or office appointments available – you choose
To find out more or start writing your Will, please visit Bequeathed.
Octopus Legacy
- Free Will writing with the British Liver Trust, normally £90
- You can write your will online in as little as 15 minutes, with easy-to-use step-by-step support
- Phone or face to face will writing services for those that would rather speak directly to a solicitor
- In-house expert approval
- Keep your Will up to date for just £10 a year
To find out more or to book an appointment please visit Octopus Legacy or call the team on 0800 773 4014, referencing the British Liver Trust for your free Will service.
As having an up to date Will is so important, if you choose to use one of these services, the charity will cover the cost of a standard Will.
In return for helping you make your Will quickly, easily and for free, we ask if you could support us with a gift in your Will. You have the option (but not the obligation) to donate or to leave a gift in your Will to the British Liver Trust – please include our registered charity number, 298858. If you decide to leave 10% or more to charity there are tax benefits for your estate.
If you would prefer to contact a solicitor directly, the Law Society website can help you find one in your area.
What can I leave to charity?
There are three different types of gift you can leave to charity in your Will:
Pecuniary gifts – a set amount of money
Residuary gifts – a percentage, or the whole, of your estate (what’s left after other specified gifts, costs, and tax)
Specific gifts – a specific object, asset or property
Our free legacy guide includes information on why Wills are vital for the British Liver Trust and how to prepare your Will.
Contact us to have a copy posted: info@britishlivertrust.org.uk or 01425 481320
Download as a pdf Leaving a gift in your Will to the British Liver Trust
All gifts in your Will can be a specific amount or a percentage of your estate, and charitable gifts are the same. Specifying a percentage to leave to loved ones and causes you care about means the amounts will hold their value over time.
To include the British Liver Trust in your Will, please make sure you include our registered charity number and address details to ensure the gift reaches us.
Registered Office: Venta Court, 20 Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8FE
Registered Charity England and Wales 298858, Scotland SC042140. Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales, Company No 2227706
For further information on leaving a gift in your will to charity can be found on the Remember a Charity website.
Do I need to let the British Liver Trust know about my decision?
Your Will is a personal document and, if you leave a gift to us and choose not to tell us, we respect that decision and say thank you. If, however, you do want to let us know, you’d like more information or would like to discuss how your gift may be used then please do use our online pledge form to let us know, or download our legacy guide for a paper copy to fill in and post.
Changing a Will
It is important to review your Will when a major life event occurs, such as a marriage, a divorce, a separation, the birth of a child, the death of a relative or a change in your financial situation. These events may have an impact both on your wishes for the distribution of your estate and on the validity of your current Will. More information about updating your Will can be found on the Remember a Charity website.
If you decide to amend your Will to include a gift to the British Liver Trust, your solicitor can add a codicil (a legal document that explains or alters your Will) to your Will that lists all changes you wish to make to your original Will.
It’s used as a way to make simple amendments like adding a charity, changing a gift amount or adding an executor. This is all quite straightforward but problems can occur if you ever want to cancel the Will in the future.
When you cancel a Will that contains a codicil, the codicil does not get cancelled automatically, so when you write a new Will it can create inconsistencies and legal problems. To avoid this, make sure that any new Will clearly states that you are revoking all Wills and codicils previously made.
A solicitor or Will writer can help with writing a codicil.
Making a Will? FAQs.
Anthony Weber, Partner at Coles Miller Solicitors LLP, answers some of the most common questions about preparing your Will.
How can I get in touch with British Liver Trust?
To find out more about leaving a gift to the British Liver Trust in your Will, please contact Audrey Cornelius Director of Fundraising
Call: 01425 481320, or email: audrey.cornelius@britishlivertrust.org.uk
Why should I make a Will?
If you do not have a Will, your wishes may not be carried out and loved ones and charities that you care about may not receive what you wish from your Estate.
How much does it cost to make a Will?
Fees vary from solicitor to solicitor, generally starting at around £175 + VAT for a standard Will. The British Liver Trust has some free and discounted offers for supporters.
I’m only young; surely I don’t need a Will yet?
No one can predict the future. It takes a small amount of time and effort to make a Will, and lets your loved ones avoid a lot of expense and heartache later on. Without a Will, the fate of your assets is out of your hands. An unmarried partner, for example, may not inherit anything, which may come as a shock and cause financial hardship. Don’t leave your loved ones in a vulnerable position – once you have prepared your Will, you will have peace of mind that those closest to you will be looked after and any charities you wish to include will be supported.
If I die whilst my children are under 18 how can I protect them?
Firstly, it is important to appoint at least one guardian for any child who is currently under the age of 18. This appointment grants the guardian the right to be involved in decisions about the child’s health, welfare and education. Secondly, if your children are to receive a share of your estate, general law prevents a child from inheriting before the age of 18. Many parents prefer to postpone to their 21st or even 25th birthday; in the meantime the Executors and Trustees you have appointed will be responsible for managing and investing the estate until your children reach the age you have chosen.
Who should I appoint as Executors and Trustees?
It is vital that he person you choose to act as Executor or Trustee of your Will is someone who you trust absolutely to ensure your wishes are complied with. There is no reason you cannot appoint someone who is a beneficiary of your Will, though some people prefer to appoint a firm of solicitors to act as this ensures the estate is administered fairly, promptly and properly. Appointing a solicitor as your Executor will reduce the risk of any mistakes or losses, and the solicitor will have insurance, in the unlikely event that such a loss occurs.
What if my circumstances change?
Your Will is only your last Will until you make a new one to replace it. If you are not sure if your Will still works in your current circumstances the best advice is to speak to a solicitor (most solicitors will not charge for such a meeting).
How often should I review my Will?
Personal and financial circumstances change, as does tax law and inheritance law. You should review your Will every 5 years (or sooner if your circumstances change dramatically) to ensure it still reflects your wishes, protecting your family and any charitable gifts. Most solicitors will offer a free short review meeting, where they will advise if any changes are needed, and what the costs will be.
My partner and I are intending to marry/enter a civil partnership – what should we do about Wills?
The act of marriage or entering a civil partnership revokes (cancels) a Will made before the event, but you can prepare a Will ‘in contemplation’ of the event, and provide the Will expressly declares it is not to be revoked by the marriage/civil partnership to a specific person; it will remain valid after the ceremony. So there is no need to put off making a Will until afterwards.
How do I leave a gift to charity in my Will?
All gifts in your Will can be a specific amount or a percentage of your estate, and charitable gifts are the same. 1% to a charity would leave 99% for your loved ones, and the amount will hold its value over time.
Your solicitor will know the wording to use, but here is an example: “I leave to (CHARITY NAME) of (CHARITY ADDRESS) Charity Registration Number: (xxxxxxx) x% (of my estate) for its general purposes and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other duly authorised officer of the charity shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”
For further information on leaving a gift in your Will to charity, visit www.rememberacharity.org.uk
What happens if I divorce or dissolve my civil partnership?
Unlike marriage or civil partnership, a divorce (i.e. Decree Absolute) does not cancel a Will. The Will remains valid and the divorce/dissolution merely removes your Ex as a beneficiary and Executor, so your Estate will be distributed as if they had died during your lifetime. However, until the divorce has been finalised, your spouse/civil partner will remain entitled to share in your estate either under your Will or ender intestacy rules. In order to ensure your wishes are carried out, you are strongly advised to update your Will as soon as you start divorce/dissolution proceedings.
What about Inheritance Tax?
In certain circumstances it may be possible to use your Will to minimise the charge to Inheritance Tax. It is best to seek advice from a solicitor on current rates and how best to manage this aspect of your Estate.
Guide for executors and solicitors
An Executor is the person named in a Will who is legally responsible for carrying out the instructions left in it.
If you are an executor or solicitor who wishes to pay in a legacy gift to the British Liver Trust, please email Audrey.cornelius@britishlivertrust.org.uk or phone 01425 481 320 with details of the gift and the name of the deceased, and we will provide payment details.
Our Address and Charity Number for paying in gifts
To include the British Liver Trust in your Will, please make sure you include our registered charity number and address details to ensure the gift reaches us.
Registered Office: Venta Court, 20 Jewry Street, Winchester SO23 8FE
Registered Charity England and Wales 298858, Scotland SC042140. Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales, Company No 2227706
This Frequently Asked Questions guide has been produced for the British Liver Trust in partnership with Coles Miller Solicitors LLP Wills and Probate team. You should always seek professional advice when making or updating your Will.
Website: www.coles-miller.co.uk
Find a solicitor near you: solicitors.lawsociety.org.uk