A Will is one of the most important documents you should write. It is the only way to make sure that the people you care about and the causes you support are looked after. It is how you decide what happens to your money and possessions.
Why do people leave a gift in their Will?
There are many reasons someone might leave a gift in their Will to us;
- As a way to pay tribute to a loved one
- As a dedication to a family member or friend who has been supported by one of our volunteers
- As a way of ensuring that others can receive support from us in the future
Whatever the reason, your gift will make a longstanding contribution to the valuable work of The Brigitte Trust. Your gift will go towards training and supporting new and existing volunteers, service co-ordination, and delivering vital emotional and practical support to ensure that more people can live well beyond diagnosis.
Leaving a gift in your Will may be able to reduce, or even eliminate your inheritance tax liability. This is because gifts to charities are 100% tax-free and are taken out of your estate before tax is calculated.
What happens if I don’t have a Will?
If you do not have a Will or if your Will is not valid- for example, it is not correctly signed or witnessed- your estate is said to be “intestate.” This means that your wishes may not be carried out. Having a professionally written, up-to-date Will is the best way to make sure your requests are met.
The different types of gifts you can leave
A residuary gift
This is a share of your total estate after all other payments (such as debts, tax and administrative expenses) have been deducted. A residuary legacy is a percentage of your estate, therefore keeping its value over time.
A pecuniary gift
A pecuniary gift is a fixed amount of money that you leave in your Will. It is a good idea to review these regularly, as their face value can be lessened by inflation.
A specific gift
A specific gift is a particular item of value- such as personal possessions, property or shares.
For further information, please visit www.brigittetrust.org/leave-a-gift-in-your-will/ or email admin@brigittetrust.com. Please let us know of any intention to leave a gift to us in your Will.
Want to fundraise for The Brigitte Trust?
You can get started today by creating your fundraising page online with Enthuse. Your support means that we can reach out and help more people living with a life-limiting illness in Surrey.