Writing and updating your Will

How to leave St Christopher’s a gift in your Will

People often do not want to think about making a Will, and it is surprising how many of us die without making one. However, making a Will is relatively easy and probably one of the most important things you can do to ensure your wishes will be carried out after your death. It also ensures that your family and loved ones are taken care of in the way that you want. If you don’t prepare properly, Inheritance tax could mean that more of your estate goes to the taxman.

Before you draft your Will, you should:

• List everything that you own - property, shares, investments, life insurance policies, bank balances, car and all your valuables and possessions
• Calculate the value of all these assets
• Decide who should benefit from your estate, e.g. family, friends, charities
• Decide who to appoint as your executor(s), i.e. the people who will administer your estate

Drafting and updating your Will

It is always best to ask a legal adviser to draft your Will. He or she will know the correct form of words and can avoid ambiguities and misunderstandings, and they can explain the three different types of legacies.

If you do decide to leave a legacy to St Christopher’s in your Will, please remember to include the hospice’s registered charity number: 210667.

Updating an existing Will

If you wish to add to or alter your existing Will you can do this by making a ‘codicil'. This is a legal document enabling you to alter or add to the original provisions in your Will. In order to do this you will need to contact your legal adviser.

It is advisable to review your Will every five to ten years or if your circumstances change, to ensure that it still reflects your wishes.