Making a Gift in Your Will
– Would you like to make a lasting contribution to humanity and the world we live in?
– Would you like to ensure that future generations learn the lessons of the Holocaust and the genocides in Rwanda and elsewhere, and say “Never Again” with understanding and commitment?
– Would you like to support the work of the Aegis Trust in helping to prevent future genocides?
If your answers are “Yes”, please consider remembering the Aegis Trust in your will. Whatever the size of your gift it really will make a difference.
Nobody likes to broach the subject of wills: it is somehow tantamount to acknowledging one’s mortality. But it is important
to plan because it allows you to donate tax-free to a worthy cause, rather than losing a significant proportion of your estate to
the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
Making a will needn’t be difficult or expensive – You could make a will today.
We can help: if you would like to discuss the best way of arranging a legacy, please talk to our Financial Controller, Mike Caro, on
01623 836627 (00 44 1623 836627 from outside the UK). He will be happy to advise, sympathetically and confidentially, and can provide all necessary paperwork to ensure that your wishes are followed to the letter. If you do not have a solicitor to make your will, we would be happy to recommend one. You can also email MikeThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Alternatively, the Solicitors Online website will be able to provide you with a list of local firms.
You can also write a will online: The Will Site offers an inexpensive complete online service for writing a will. Note that all wills are reviewed by a solicitor.
If you don’t know your financial worth or if you’re not sure whether you may be liable for inheritance tax, the Remember a Charity website can help you with these calculations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Making a Will
Why do I need a Will?
By making a Will, you can ensure that your possessions are passed on to the people and charities that you have chosen. If you do not have a Will, the state will decide how your property should be distributed.
What are the different types of legacy?
A residuary legacy is the gift of the remainder of your estate (or a percentage of the remainder) after all other gifts to friends and family have been distributed and all outgoings have been dealt with.
A residuary legacy is especially valuable because the growing value of your assets protects it against inflation.
A pecuniary legacy is a fixed sum of money that tends to decrease in value over time because of inflation. For example, a legacy of £100 written into a will in 1980 would now be worth less than £40. However, it is possible to index-link a pecuniary legacy, to ensure that the legacy maintains its intended value.
Why should I keep my Will up to date?
Once a Will has been made, it is important to keep it up to date and account for any changes in your circumstances. For example, you may now have had a child or grandchild, you may have moved home, or your financial situation may have changed. It is also advisable to reconsider the contents of your Will regularly to make sure that it still reflects your wishes.
How do I amend my Will?
A codicil is an addition to a Will that states any changes you wish to make, and is easily made by a solicitor. Adding a codicil to your existing Will may be a simple way for you to leave a legacy to the Aegis Trust. You can download a form with with suggested wording for a codicil here.
Tips for wording legacies
The suggested wording to leave a pecuniary legacy is:
‘I give free of tax to the Aegis Trust, Laxton, Newark, Notts, NG22 0PA, United Kingdom (registered charity number 1082856), the sum of £_________ for the purposes of the Aegis Trust, and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.’
The suggested wording to leave a residuary legacy is:
‘Subject to the payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, I give the whole/ (insert percentage value) of my estate not otherwise disposed of by this my Will to Aegis Trust, Laxton, Newark, Notts, NG22 0PA, United Kingdom (registered charity number 1082856), for the general purposes of the Aegis Trust, and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.’
Every year, too many people die without having left a will, and some or all of their estate goes to the state. We are confident that we can suggest a better solution. Whatever you are able to give, your legacy will help us to preserve the memory of victims, continue our educational work to combat racism and prejudice, work to prevent future genocides, and assist us in supporting the survivors of genocide.
Thank you for thinking of us.
The Aegis Trust
Laxton, Newark,
Notts, NG22 0PA
United Kingdom
Telephone: 01623 836627
email: giving@aegistrust.orgThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Charity No. 1082856
