A gift in your will

What kind of gift can I leave in my will?

A residuary gift is what is left over once gifts of money and items have been distributed, and any debts and taxes paid. You can give the whole of the residue, or a portion of it, to a person or a charity like MS Trust. 

A pecuniary gift is a specified sum of money. To ensure that it keeps its value over the years, you can ask your solicitor to make it index-linked. 

A specific gift is an object, like a painting, a house or a piece of jewellery. 

If I use your online will writing service will it be checked by a solicitor?

Every document is checked by a fully qualified solicitor. Make a Will Online are the only specialist provider of online wills to be given consent by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) to provide the services of solicitors to the public under their Innovation Scheme. They are not regulated by the SRA but their solicitors are bound by the SRA Standards and Regulations including the Code of Conduct.

I would prefer to make my will in the presence of a solicitor, how do I find one?

You can search for a local solicitor on the Law Society's website. If you have a complicated estate it is recommended to speak with a qualified solicitor.

Getting to a solicitors office is difficult for me and I would rather write my will together with a professional, is there an alternative?

You could look for a registered professional will writer in your area via The Society of Will Writers: willwriters.com or The Institute of Professional Willwriters: ipw.org.uk. They will often come to you to go through the process.

Can I change my existing will?

If you have a will already, you can still include a gift in your will to MS Trust by writing a completely new will that revokes the old one, or by adding a codicil, a separate document that makes minor amendments to the existing will. It’s best to talk to your solicitor about this.

What do I need to know about Inheritance Tax (IHT)?

By leaving a gift in your will to charity, you may be able to reduce your inheritance tax liability. We recommend talking to your solicitor or HMRC for further advice and information. It's also worth looking at the UK Government website for the latest legislation: gov.uk/inheritance-tax.

What else should I think about when planning my affairs?

Whilst planning your wishes for the future, for your family and finances, it is worth thinking about your health as well. This is particularly relevant if you have MS. MS Trust has a publication; Thinking Ahead, which can offer some guidance at this time and an Advanced Statement Template where you can express your wishes for future healthcare. You can order both free from our shop.

Where should I keep my will safe?

It is important to store your will safely and that your executors know where to find it as they will need the original document to arrange your affairs. You may wish to look into a storage service such as that offered by the National Will Safe. When you store your will with them, you can access it whenever you need, and replace the document for no extra charge if you make a new will. While your documents are with National Will Safe they are fully insured against loss or damage. 

Should I let the MS Trust know I have left a gift in my will?

If you have left a gift in your will to MS Trust we would appreciate you letting us know so that we can personally thank you. We can also keep you up to date with the work of the charity and share the impact that together with our supporters we are making for people with MS. It also helps us to plan for the future as gifts in wills play a tremendous part in the sustainability of the charity and can support transformational projects. Please feel free to email Erika and share your reasons for leaving a gift in your will.