Legacy gifts represent a major source of funding for many charities and non-profit organisations. They can also offer immense fulfilment to the giver, as they start to think about what legacy they want to leave for the future.

But writing a will can be daunting. Many people don’t know where to start. Here are ten tips to help you if you are planning to write your will, and to leave a gift to charity.

1. Making a will planner

Complete a will planner to estimate the value of your estate, and list the people and organisations to whom you’d like to leave money, property or possessions.

Free L'Arche will planner

2. Appointing an executor

Appoint an executor, someone you instruct to carry out your wishes and the terms of your will. This can be a friend, a relative or a legal adviser who writes your will. Check they are willing to accept this responsibility.

3. Finding a solicitor

Make an appointment to see a solicitor. If you are thinking of leaving a gift for L’Arche, you could consider using our FREE Octopus Legacy service. A legal adviser from Octopus can go through next steps with you. You can contact them on 020 4525 3605. or make your will online.

4. Identifying your beneficiaries

When you write your will, specify the people and causes you wish to remember (the beneficiaries) and what you would like to leave them. You will need to provide the names and addresses of all beneficiaries. If you have dependants and pets, state who should care for them and how this will be paid for.

5. Referencing a charity in your will 

You’ll need to know the registered charity number and address of the organisation you want to support. To include a gift to L’Arche in your will, please state our registered charity No. 264166 for England and Wales and in Scotland SCO3849, and our registered charity address which is; L’Arche UK, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB.

Why leave a legacy for L'Arche

6. Choosing between pecuniary or residuary gifts

If you wish to include organisations in your will, you need to consider if you want to leave a pecuniary gift (a specified sum of money) or a residuary gift (a percentage of your estate). And make sure you use precise wording, so that the intentions of your will are carried out correctly.*

7. Checking your will

Once completed, take your time to check your will carefully; ensure it is accurate and reflects your wishes. If there is anything you do not understand or you are not sure about, then raise it with your legal adviser.

8. Getting witnesses

You will need to ask two people who will not benefit from your will to be witnesses. They both must be present to watch you sign it, before signing and dating the document themselves.

9. Making a copy of your will

Make a copy of your will, keep it somewhere safe and make sure someone knows where your original will is kept, usually with your legal adviser.

10. Notifying the charity of your intentions 

Notify a charity if you plan to leave them a gift in your will. That helps them plan for the future and appropriately acknowledge your legacy. If you plan to remember L’Arche in your will, thank you!. to a charity, it helps if you notify them of your intention. If you are remembering L’Arche in your will, thank you!

 

*If you are leaving a gift for L’Arche, we suggest the following wording: “I give the sum of £ (for a pecuniary gift) or % ( for a residuary gift) of my estate to L’Arche UK, Registered Office: L’Arche UK, Romero House, 55 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7JB, reg charity no. 264166 for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the honorary treasurer or other proper officer of the said L’Arche for the time being shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the said legacy.”