Our aims: -

Helping people with mental health problems move towards a better life in society by: -

If you do not have a Will

Making a will is very straight forward.

If you have a Will

You can add, remove or change it by using a Codicil Form

Click here for a Codicil Form (rich text document - 6kb)

Legacies are vital

All the money we receive from all sources are used to benefit service users and legacies 
however big or small help us plan for the future.  That's why it's important that general 
supporters who decide to leave a legacy to Mind in Barnet let us know their intentions.
 

This guide has therefore been prepared to help you.

Wills

A will is a legal document  that says exactly where you want your money and possessions to go after your death.

It is best that you get a solicitor to draw up your will so that it is legally correct.

Having a Will is the only way you can be certain that your money goes to the people and organisations you want and as well as helping your family and friends it gives you peace of mind.

A Will also has the advantage of reducing inheritance tax after your death.

Provided you are 18  you can make or change a Will as often as you like so that you can change it as your circumstances change.
 

To help you make your Will the following are examples of the wording your solicitor might use when you leave a legacy to Mind in Barnet: -

• For a Residuary Legacy (part or all of your estate)

• For a Pecuniary Legacy (a sum of money)

• For a Specific Item of Value 

• For a gift of Property 

SIMPLE STEPS TO MAKING YOUR WILL

STEP 1

Calculate the rough value of your money and belongings

Click here for a Financial Checklist (rich text document - 6kb)
 

STEP 2

Make a note of your wishes (using your personal checklist)

Use the Personal Checklist sheet to make a note of your wishes.  When its completed, take it to your solicitor to help speed up the process. 

Before you start, its worth noting that there is no limit on the number of gifts you can leave.  Below is a list of the three main types of gift you can leave:

1. A fixed sum of money
2. A specific item of value, eg an antique clock
3. The whole or a percentage of your estate after your debts and other legacies have been paid 

People sometimes leave labels on their possessions or a list to indicate who they wish to leave them to.  This isn't legally binding, so please do make a Will and, if you wish, go through it with close family and friends, so they know exactly what you are leaving to whom in your Will.

STEP 3

Make a note of your executors  (using your personal checklist)

Who should you choose?

It's important that when you're choosing your executors (usually two), you choose people you trust; for example, this could be a partner, best friend, adult members of your family or professional adviser (there is no reason why they shouldn't be someone you intend leaving a legacy to in your Will).

Please remember to ask your executors first as this is quite a responsibility.  They have to collect together all your assets, deal with the paperwork, pay off the debts from your estate and make sure that everything is done in accordance with your wishes and the law.

STEP 4

Make a note of any questions you need to ask your solicitor  (using your Personal Checklist)

There are many things that could affect your Will, and which you may need to discuss with your solicitor.

We have included a number of the most common questions here in case they apply to you, and to get you thinking about the sort of points you'll need to clarify with your solicitor.

If you have young children, who do you want to look after them in case anything happens to you?

Make your wishes clear in your Will, and make sure that your nominated guardians are  willing to look after the children and that your executors know what you want.

Are you married or divorced? 

When you get married, your old Will is normally invalidated immediately.  So ask your solicitor the best way to proceed.

Do you have any step-children you wish to provide for?

If you have any step-children, they will not automatically receive anything from your estate if you die without leaving a Will.  If you wish to leave them anything, you have to include them in your Will.

What if you don't want to leave anything to your children or partner?

You're perfectly entitled to leave your estate to whoever you choose, and to exclude your partner or children if you wish.  To reduce the chances of complications arising after your death, we recommend that you give your reasons for excluding your children or partner, and that you talk the matter over with your solicitor.

What happens to jointly held property and bank accounts?

It's best to clear this up with your solicitor so that you know where you and your partner stand.  That way you can set your mind at rest and make any necessary provisions for your share of the property in your Will.

What if you have no family at all? 

Unless you make a Will, all your money and possessions will go to the Crown.  To make sure that your money goes to the people or causes you care about, you need to explain your circumstances to a solicitor and make a Will.

Who do you want to look after your pets?

You can say who you want your pets to go to in your Will, but you should ask people first whether or not they would be willing to look after them.

Funeral Arrangements

Since this is such a sensitive subject, we would always recommend that you make your wishes absolutely clear in your Will.  You should also tell your executors and immediate family what you  want.  Some of the questions you may need to consider can be found in the Personal Checklist.

STEP 5

Arrange to see your solicitor

Once you've followed steps 1 to 4, you're ready to make you will

If you don't have a solicitor, ask a friend or relative to recommend one, or look through your local telephone directory to find details of solicitors near you.

Mind in Barnet can recommend a solicitor who could help you.  Please don't be afraid to ask them how much they will charge for drawing up a Will.  Prices do vary and it is worth comparing them before you make a final decision.

Once you've found your solicitor, make an appointment.  If you find it difficult to visit your solicitor's office, ask if they will visit you at home.  Most solicitors will be happy to oblige.

Either: 

Return the completed Pledge Form

Click here for a Pledge Form (rich text document - 6kb)

Or:

Phone our Chief Executive Officer on 020 8343 5701 and tell us that you intend leaving a gift to Mind in Barnet.

STEP 6 

See your solicitor

What you'll need

When you go to see your solicitor you'll need to take your  Personal Checklist sheet  with you.  You'll also need a copy of the sums you made in Step 1.

What happens?

It's very straightforward.  You simply sit down with your solicitor and explain what you want to say in your Will. 

The solicitor will ask you some questions to make sure that everything is covered and you'll be able to ask him or her about anything you don't totally understand.

Your solicitor will then prepare a draft Will for you.  When you've agreed that you have included everything and everyone you need to and you are sure that the Will makes your wishes clear, you must sign it in the presence of two independent witnesses.

That's all there is to it.  Unless your Will is unusually complicated, it's all over in a couple of hours.  You then have peace of mind of knowing that the people and causes you care about will be provided for in case anything happens to you.

STEP 7 

After you've made your Will

It's best to leave the original with your solicitor or in some other safe place such as a bank.  Keep a copy at home in a safe place, together with your Personal Checklist sheet.  Tell your executors or immediate family where they can find it and make sure they know what your preferences are for your funeral arrangements.

Review your Will every few years 

Most people should review their Will every four or five years, or as their circumstances, or those of the people included in their Will, change.
It's very easy and very worthwhile.  The next section 'How to change your Will' explains how to do it, when you ought to make a new Will, and also when you should simply change it.

How to change your Will 

It's very straightforward and you can change it whenever you like.

When should you change your Will?

If you get married, legally separated or divorced, or if you remarry, you'll need to make a new Will.

It's also worth making a new Will if there are any other major changes in your circumstances; for example, on the birth of children or grandchildren, or on the death of your partner.

We also recommend that you review your Will every four or five years, because your situation and the value of your estate could well have changed enough to justify some changes to your old Will.   You might also wish to review your Will if there have been major changes in the circumstances of anyone currently included in your Will.

You can add a Codicil to your Will if you're only making minor changes

A Codicil is simply an addition or alteration to the Will which lets you add extra gifts or alter the amounts of the ones you've already made - rather like a P.S. to your Will.

Each time you wish to make a change to your Will you can simply prepare a further Codicil.  You may have as many Codicils as you like as long as they clearly refer to your original Will.  You should keep them in the same place as your Will.

Inheritance Tax

Inheritance tax is the tax payable on your estate (the money and possessions you leave behind) after your death.  But no tax is paid unless your estate is over the inheritance threshold. 

Even if the value of your estate is over the threshold, there are several ways to reduce tax, so more of your money goes to those you care about.  This is a complex subject, so we advise that you ask your solicitor to explain all the options to you and tell you how you can set up your Will in a tax-efficient way.

You can ask your solicitor about making gifts that are exempt from inheritance tax, or are taxed at a reduced rate.  You can seek advice on "writing in trust" any life assurance policies you have to your beneficiaries.  If you do this, the money will go directly to them when you die, instead of being added to your estate and therefore taxed.

A Legacy to Mind in Barnet will be tax free

If you leave a legacy to Mind in Barnet it won't be taxed because we are a charity.  So, for example, if you leave us £10,000 in your will, we'll actually get the whole £10,000.  Leaving a legacy is therefore a very tax-efficient way for you to help a charity.  If you wish to leave a legacy to Mind in Barnet please ask your solicitor to use the precise wording detailed on pages 3 &4.  Please note the differences between the different types of legacy.

It would help us so much if you'd also let us know about your kind intention so that we can make the most of your gift now and say thank you.

Making a Will, while very sensitive is a very positive step.

Thank you for taking an interest in Mind in Barnet.

If you do have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Acknowledgement - we would like to acknowledge with thanks that our guide is modelled on the Save the Children Will Guide.
 

Codicil

You can use this Codicil Form (rich text document - 6kb), to leave a legacy to Mind in Barnet.

Please make sure that you sign this form in the presence of two witnesses.  Your witnesses should not stand to benefit themselves or be married to anyone who stands to benefit from your Will or this Codicil.  They must both sign the form when you do.  In order to ensure it ties in properly with your Will, we would recommend that you see your solicitor.  Once completed, this Codicil must be kept with your Will.