Your Legacy, Their Future - Free Online Wills Month

The process of thinking about and writing a Will can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. A Will provides an individual with the opportunity to secure the future of those following in their footsteps – ensuring that a person's choices made whilst alive are fulfilled when they’re gone.

Did you know that 1 in every 6 Wills include a gift to a charity and in 2022 14% of gifts in Wills went to a military charity just like Walking With The Wounded.

As part of Free Online Wills Month, we caught up with our Individual Giving Manager Viveca Johnstone to discuss questions and concerns from our supporters when it comes to preparing to write - or update - a Will.

How much does a Will cost – is it expensive?

The cost of writing a Will varies depending on how complicated it is but you can ask several solicitors what they charge before deciding.

Walking With The Wounded has partnered with Farewill, who were voted the ‘nation’s favourite Will writing service’, to provide our supporters with a free online Will.

Do I need a solicitor to write my Will?

A solicitor can help make sure your Will is valid and that your wishes are met. You can choose to use a Will writer or online Will provider where your document?will be reviewed by a solicitor. We always recommend that you seek independent advice before going ahead.

What do I need to know to ensure my Will is valid?

For a Will to be valid you must:

• Be 18 or over
• Make it voluntarily
• Be of sound mind
• Make it in writing
• Sign it in the presence of two witnesses who are both over 18 and not a beneficiary of the Will or related to a beneficiary of the Will
• Have it signed by your two witnesses – in your presence

What’s an executor and do I need one??

An executor has the responsibility to carry out the deceased’s wishes with respect to funeral arrangements and to deal with the estate – its property and cash – to pay any creditors and distribute what is left to the beneficiaries.

You must appoint at least one executor in a Will.

Can an executor change my Will?

No. An executor cannot change a Will. A Will can be changed after death using a Deed of Variation.

When should I make changes to my Will, or can I leave it?

You should always consider updating your Will if you have gone through any major life changes so that it reflects your new circumstances. Having an out-of-date Will can cause complications with the probate application and admin process – potentially making it longer and more expensive.

A Will can be changed at any time provided that the conditions to make it a valid document are met.

Here are a few examples of when you should consider updating your Will:

• Getting Married – Marriage will invalidate any Will that was written or in place.
• Getting Divorced – Divorce or separation will not make your Will invalid, but you may wish to change who will benefit from it – particularly if your ex-partner is written as the sole beneficiary.
• Having Children – Ensuring children are protected and cared for is extremely important. Guardians need to be named and provisions put in place in case one or both parents pass away.
• Buying or Selling Significant Assets – You can specify in your Will what you want to happen with a specific asset. For example, if you purchase a new property you may want to update your Will to direct what should happen to it. You should also update your Will if there are sections relating to assets you no longer own as these sections could be rendered invalid which can lead to a misinterpretation of your wishes or disputes.
• An Executor or Beneficiary Dies – If a named executor dies you should update your Will and replace them to ensure that there will still be someone you trust administering your Estate. If a name beneficiary dies you may want to redistribute their inheritance to someone else.

I’m considering leaving a gift to Walking With The Wounded in my Will, what kind of gift can I leave?

There are three types of gifts you can leave:

1. A share of your Estate after all other gifts and expenses have been paid. These are very important to us as they can increase in value over time. This also means you are less likely to need to amend it in the future.

1. A specific sum or set amount of money.

1. A specific item, such as an antique, painting, property, or shares that we would then sell.

If you have a connection to the military, or you share our admiration and gratitude towards those who have served, one of the best ways you can support Armed Forces veterans is by leaving a gift in your Will to Walking With The Wounded.?

For further questions related to gifts in Wills, what the potential impact of your legacy could be, or why gifts in Wills are so essential to our work, contact Viveca: [email protected].