By leaving a gift in your Will you can help Teesside Hospice provide care to more local families affected by a terminal illness.

Last year, we cared for 3,000 people within Teesside, you can be a part of helping us providing that vital care.

It’s so important to have an up-to-date Will. It’s the only way you can ensure your lasting wishes are honoured and your loved ones are cared for. It can be a stressful process when considering a Will, so we have put together a Legacy Guide to make things a bit more simple. The guide includes details on planning your Will, the needs of family and loved ones, and even recommended wording where you can fill in the important bits yourself.

What is a Will?

Your will helps guide people with what you want to happen to your money and assets when you die. All of these things together make up your estate which can be distributed to whoever you choose, from your children to family and friends. Anyone over 18 can make a will. It can be used to outline your lasting legacy within your family and community. If you decide not to leave one, the government will decide how your estate is used and you have no control over your legacy.

How to make a Will?

Wills can be complex, but they can also be simple. You can use our Will Planning Checklist as a basis to start your Will.

Who will be the Executors?
The person(s) who will be responsible for the legal and financial aspects of your estate.
Who will be the Guardians?
The person(s) who will be responsible for Children legally.
Who will be the Beneficiaries?
The person(s) or organisations who will be given a specific gift from your estate such as money, land or property.
Who will receive the Residue?
The rest of your estate once all specific gifts have been made and debts paid off.

What can you gift in your final wishes?

Residual Legacy

We understand that family comes first during a difficult time. A residual legacy means that after making provision for your family, you can dedicate anything that is leftover to us, or in combination with other organisations.

Pecuniary Legacy

Deciding to leave a specific amount of money to us can be done by informing your solicitor that you would like to make a “pecuniary bequest”. This is presented as a fixed sum, which can lose value over time. However, if you choose to link the monetary gift to the Retail Price Index (RPI), the value can be maintained.

Pecuniary Legacy Deciding to leave a specific amount of money to us can be done by informing your solicitor that you would like to make a “pecuniary bequest”. This is presented as a fixed sum, which can lose value over time. However, if you choose to link the monetary gift to the Retail Price Index (RPI), the value can be maintained.

Specific Gifts

If you want to leave a gift, but money is something you cannot give, you can leave specific items such as jewellery, shares and property to us. There are many shops across Teesside and online, with skilled team members to make sure we really get the value your items are worth.

FAQs

What if i decide to change my mind?

A will is one of the most personal documents that you will ever complete in your lifetime. Therefore, you have full control and are free to change your mind at any time. You do not need to let us know if you change your mind, just contact your will service provider.

Is will writing time consuming?

Will writing does not have to be a lengthy process. It all depends on the amount of drafts, but it can be done within 10 working days. Naturally, more complex wills take longer, however, it’s important to take the necessary time for such an important document.

Does my Executor need to be involverd in will writing?

No, your will is your own private legal document. Some people may choose to have their Executor involved, but usually they are just involved where they have been appointed. You may also wish to detail this information within a letter stored with the will.

Can i have a say in how you use my gift?

Of course. We understand that you may want to leave a gift in your will for a particular service close to your heart. Although, we encourage gifts to be left unrestricted, to use the money freely when it is needed most.