We receive funds from many individuals during their lifetime for which we are most grateful. There is also the opportunity to make a difference to other people's lives after our death. A bequest to Speakability would enable us to plan our future work - which in turn could make all the difference. It would help us to tell more people about our Helpline, Information Service and network of Self-Help Groups. It would help us to influence change and secure better services for people with Aphasia.
WHY SHOULD I MAKE A WILL?
Making a will and considering how best we can care for those we love in the future is something we do to give us peace of mind. Many people make a will when they buy a house, get married, have a child or grandchild. Many more put off making a will and lose the opportunity to choose what happens to their treasured possessions and estate.
TAKE STEPS TO AVOID LEAVING LIFE-TIME SAVINGS, PROPERTY AND BELONGINGS TO THE INLAND REVENUE
Often, when there is no will and no surviving members of the family, the estate is converted into cash and the Inland Revenue and Government benefit. For people with relatives and close friends, the tax man may still benefit when there is no will. However, if you make a will, your wishes are followed and only the Inland Revenue may be disappointed.
WHY MAKE A CHARITY BEQUEST?
If you make a bequest to Speakability or another registered charity you may well avoid your dependents having to pay any inheritance tax. Many people (almost 7 out of every 10) support a charity in their lifetime because they believe in the cause and want to help that organisation to achieve its aims and objectives.
Sadly, fewer than 1 in 20 people remember a charity in their will and yet it is a very easy way to give money and demonstrate commitment to a cause.
SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE FROM A SOLICITOR
It is a good idea to consult a solicitor when writing your will to ensure that your wishes are carried out accurately and to avoid leaving problems with your estate.
FOR A SPECIFIC BEQUEST
This enables you to leave a specific item or sum of money. The following wording could be used:
'I bequest to Speakability of 1 Royal Street, London SE1 7LL (Registered Charity No. 295094) free of all tax the sum of £.............. to be applied by Speakability for its general charitable purposes, and I further direct that the receipt of the Hon. Treasurer or other proper officer of Speakability for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy.'
FOR A RESIDUARY BEQUEST
The residue of your estate is the part left over after gifts to family and friends, fees and Inheritance tax have been taken out. A residual bequest enables you to leave all or part of the residue to a cause you believe in. Appropriate wording would be:
'I devise and bequeath to Speakability of 1Royal Street, London SE1 7LL (Registered Charity No. 295094) (all or a fractional share) of the residue of my estate to be applied by Speakability for its general charitable purposes, and I further direct that the receipt of the Hon. Treasurer or other proper officer of Speakability for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy.'
A CODICIL
If you have already made a will, you can still include a bequest to Speakability. A codicil enables you to include a legacy without making a new will. To be legally binding, the Codicil must be signed, witnessed and dated in the same way as a will. Again, this is a simple procedure but it is best to seek the advice of your solicitor.
IN MEMORIAM DONATION
Many people like to leave instructions about their funeral together with their will. They include details about the service, the music and readings they would like to be used, and directions over their choice of cremation or burial.
Some people take this opportunity to support their favourite charity by leaving instructions about In Memoriam donations. A request that people make a donation to Speakability rather than sending funeral flowers is a very positive way of supporting our work. Flowers do not last more than a few days. By helping another person to overcome the barriers they face from losing the ability to speak, you can make a huge impact on their life.
WHATEVER YOU DECIDE - THANK YOU FOR READING THROUGH THIS PAGE
