More than a third of The Mayhew Animal Home's work is paid for by gifts left in Wills, which can also be known as legacies or bequests. This money is vital to the future of the animal home itself, as well as our proactive work against animal cruelty and neglect. Many people find the whole subject of Gifts in Wills confusing or even frightening. So we have put some frequently asked questions together for you, which we hope will answer some of your queries. If you have any other questions which are not answered below, please contact Sue Barrett on our on 020 8968 2446 or email, Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm.
Why make a Will?
Making a Will is the only way to make sure that your family and friends, and the causes close to your heart, receive what you think and hope that they should receive from your estate.
Although parts of your estate may go to your family if you have not made a Will, these may not be the family members you expect or in the amount you would wish. Your family may also end up paying Inheritance Tax, which is currently charged at 40%.
Can I make a Will myself?
Homemade Wills, including the 'over-the-counter' templates available in many shops, can lead to very expensive problems that sometimes cannot be rectified. Important details can be left out, or the will could be invalid or lead to unexpected tax bills, for example. Dealing with these issues may demand professional advice and can cause a lot of distress for those involved. We would therefore always recommend obtaining the advice of a solicitor.
What will it cost?
This will depend upon how complex your affairs and your wishes are, but may not be as expensive as you think. You can always request estimates from solicitors at no commitment.
In England and Wales contact the Law Society for details of a firm near you www.lawsociety.org.uk, or call 020 7242 1222.
In Scotland contact the Law Society of Scotland: www.lawscot.org.uk, or call 0131 226 7411.
How do I leave a gift in my will?
Including The Mayhew in a Will is a straightforward, easy and cost-effective way to support our work. It simply involves adding a short paragraph (clause) to your Will. We would always suggest that you use a qualified solicitor to assist you with this.
If you have any specific questions please contact Sue Barrett at The Mayhew by email or on 020 8968 2446.
I would like to leave a gift to The Mayhew Animal Home in my Will - what information do I need to include?
You will need to include our name, address and registered charity number:
The Mayhew Animal Home
Trenmar Gardens
Kensal Green
London
NW10 6BJ
Registered charity number: 1077588
Can I add The Mayhew to my existing Will?
Making changes to an existing Will is very straightforward and it is important that you keep it up-to-date.
If you want to add The Mayhew Animal Home to an existing Will, your solicitor simply attaches a written instruction, called a codicil. This must be done by your solicitor - don't make changes yourself as you may inadvertently invalidate your Will. The codicil will need the signature of two independent witnesses. If there are a number of changes you want to make, it may be better to make a new Will, which your solicitor can help you with.
Do I have enough to leave a legacy?
It's a common misconception that a legacy has to be an enormous sum of money. This is not the case. Any gift left in a Will, no matter how large or how small, is important to the charities you support.
What is the difference between a pecuniary and a residuary legacy?
The two main types of legacies that people leave are: residuary and pecuniary.
A residuary legacy is when a person leaves a percentage of their estate to a charity. This means that, however much your estate is ultimately worth, you ensure your loved ones are looked after as well as giving a gift to your chosen charity. It also means you don't have to keep altering your Will as your circumstances change.
A pecuniary legacy is a set sum of money. However, we advise that you consult your solicitor on what is best for your particular circumstances.
If you would like to calculate what you think you may have left to leave please visit the Remember A Charity website to use their calculate your gift tool.
What about inheritance tax?
Any gift you leave to The Mayhew Animal Home is tax free and may have the added advantage of bringing the total value of your estate beneath the inheritance tax threshold.
Each individual's tax situation is different, and we always recommend you consult a solicitor for full details of tax benefits. For more information regarding the changes to inheritance tax, please click here.
What if my circumstances change?
One of the great things about a legacy is that it allows you to take account of any changes that may happen to your personal circumstances. With a properly worded legacy, you can be safe in the knowledge that, should your circumstances change, your Will automatically takes account of this. So you are able to look after yourself, friends and family while also knowing that you will still be doing something for your favourite charity if there is any money left over after you die.
I live abroad, is there anything else I need to consider?
If you own anything abroad we would always suggest that you obtain specialist advice from a solicitor.
I'm an executor and there's a gift to The Mayhew Animal Home in the Will. How should I pay the money to you?
Please send a cheque payable to The Mayhew Animal Home to:
The Mayhew Animal Home
Trenmar Gardens
Kensal Green
London
NW10 6BJ
Further information
If you have any other questions which are not answered above, please contact Sue Barrett on our on 020 8968 2446 or by email Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm. Alternatively if you are seeking general guidance on leaving a charitable legacy visit the Remember a Charity website.
Let your love for animals live on - just a small gift in your will, can help us continue our vital work.
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