Wills
At St Catherine’s Hospice one of our aims is to encourage people to think about their wishes and be better prepared for the future.
It’s never too early to write your will, and getting your affairs in order now can make life much easier for your loved ones later.
3 important reasons to write a will
- It’s the only way you can ensure that your loved ones and any causes you care about are provided for in the way you wish
- If you don’t have a will, your estate (money, property and possessions) is distributed under intestacy rules. Amongst other things, these rules mean that unmarried partners, friends and carers do not have an automatic right to inherit
- Wills don’t just cover property and finances; you can name a guardian for your children, entrust the care of your pets to someone, and leave instructions for paying for and arranging your funeral
Write or update your will with St Catherine’s
Our Wills Week runs each March and is a great opportunity to write or update your will with one of our partner solicitors, who generously give their time in return for a donation to the hospice. Wills Week runs in March and places get booked up quickly, so please get in touch if you’d like to receive an information pack.
We also run a year-round Wills Service; participating solicitors kindly offer a 15% discount on their individual standard charges for straightforward wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
- Please email giftsinwills@stcatherines.co.uk or call 01772 629171 if you would like more information; there is no obligation to leave a gift for St Catherine’s in your will if you make use of our Wills Week or Wills Service.
Leaving a gift in your will to the hospice
We understand how important your family and friends are and that these people will always be considered first when you are writing your will. If you choose to leave a gift in your will to St Catherine’s, we will spend the money you have donated where it will have the most impact. If you would like your gift to go to something specific, we will ensure your wishes are met.
We understand that whatever you decide is an entirely personal choice, however many people do like to let us know that they are planning to remember St Catherine’s in their will, and we are always here if you would like to discuss anything further.
Please click here to find out more about how gifts in wills really make a difference to our charity.
FAQs
Why is it best to get a will written by a professional rather than writing it myself?
We recommend that you use a reputable solicitor to ensure that your will is watertight and that no mistakes are made. Wills have to meet certain criteria and must be witnessed and worded correctly to make them valid, and it’s also advisable to seek professional advice about inheritance tax, foreign properties or bank accounts, and circumstances which could make your will void in the future.
How long does it take to write a will?
It can take as little as half an hour to write a straightforward will with a solicitor, yet gives you peace of mind for years to come, and provides reassurance to your loved ones that your wishes are recorded and will be carried out when the time comes.
Can I write a will with my husband or wife?
Yes, married couples can opt to have mirror wills, which generally instruct that upon the death of one, everything will go to the other.
When is it a good idea to update my will?
If your circumstances change, such as if you get married or divorced, welcome children or grandchildren, move house, if your home changes in value significantly, or if an executor or a beneficiary named in the will dies.
