How to leave a gift in your Will

Including KIDS in your will is not complicated and our step by step guide covers some of the things that you may wish to consider.
 
1. Decide who you would like to include in your will

Make a note of the people you want to include in your will.  By including the names of the people who matter to you most you will ensure that they benefit from your wishes.  If you don’t state your wishes in your will, the court will decide who benefits.

After you have remembered your family and friends, please consider a gift to KIDS. Even a small donation in your will could help change the lives of disabled children, young people or their families.

2. Decide what sort of legacy you want to leave

There are a number of different types of legacy that you could leave.  Some of the most common that you might come across include:

A gift as a percentage of your estate
Also known as a residuary gift, this is a percentage of the value of your estate after all other legacies, tax, debts and costs have been paid.  This is a popular way to remember a charity because it is expressed as a percentage.  It is inflation-proof and retains its value over time.

An example of a residuary legacy is: “I leave xx per cent of the residue of my estate to KIDS, 6 Aztec Row, Berners Road, London, N1 0PW. Registered Charity No: 275936.”

A sum of money
Otherwise known as a pecuniary gift, this is a gift of a fixed amount of money.  If it is index-linked it will help retain its value over time, otherwise the effects of inflation will mean that the real value of your legacy in the future could become less than you intended.

A specific item
You may wish to leave a specific item or possession to people or causes.  This could include personal possessions such as antiques, furniture or jewellery.  It could also include land, buildings or other specified investments such as shares or the contents of a bank account.

3. Decide who will carry your wishes out

Executors are the people, nominated by you, who have a legal duty to settle your affairs after you have died.  It is usual to have two executors but you can have up to four and having a legally drawn will will make the process of executing your will and your wishes much easier.  Don’t forget to ask your chosen executors if they are willing to carry out the task before you see your solicitor.

4. Contact a solicitor

The safest way of making a will is to use a solicitor who can also help you try to minimise the inheritance tax payable on your estate. If you don’t know a solicitor, KIDS can help you find one in your area.

5. Drafting your will

KIDS has produced a useful form that you can use to make sure you have all the information you need before you see a solicitor, making the process easier for you and your solicitor.

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