Gifts in Wills
Gifts in Wills create a lasting legacy, reflecting your values and commitment to inclusivity for those with visible differences.
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A step by step guide to leaving a gift in your Will
- Choose a solicitor.
We highly recommend you use a solicitor or professional Will writer to draft your Will. Using a solicitor will ensure you receive professional advice and they will hold a copy of the Will for safekeeping. - Choose the type of gift you wish to leave.
There are three common types of gifts you could choose to leave. A residuary gift is a share of your estate, when taxes, debts and other gifts have been paid, a pecuniary gift is a set amount of money from your estate and a specific gift is a particular item, such as property, a car or jewellery. - Confirm who you would like to be your executors.
An executor of a will is a person appointed to manage the estate according to the instructions in your Will. People often appoint family members or close friends to be executors of their Will. You can also appoint a professional executor (such as a solicitor or bank) however it’s worth noting that they will charge a fee for undertaking this role. - Understand the value of your estate.
Understanding the value of your estate will help you plan you Will and it could also help your executors carry out your wishes. Your estate is the total value of all your assets minus any liabilities or debts you owe. Your assets could include property, cash, bank accounts, insurance policies, personal belongings, stocks and shares. - Consider the implications of inheritance tax.
Inheritance tax is a tax applied to estates valued above a value. Leaving your estate to a charity, spouse or civil partner can sometimes mean no inheritance tax is paid. We would suggest speaking with your solicitor about the implications of inheritance tax on the gifts you decide to leave. - Write your Will and keep it safe. Your chosen solicitor or professional Will writer will help you write your Will. Once written, it is advisable to keep it in a place that is easy to find and some people give a copy to the executors.
- Let Changing Faces know you have left us a gift in your Will. The generosity of people like you mean we can continue to be there for everyone with a scar, mark or condition on their face or body. Please let Felicity, our Individual Giving and Community Officer know that you have left a gift in your will. She can be contacted at [email protected].
Updating an existing Will
If your circumstances change it is important you update your Will. A legal document called a codicil can be used to make changes or additions to an existing Will. In some instances you may need to write a new Will. You solicitor will be able to advise the best cause of action.
Suggested wording when leaving a gift in your Will to Changing Faces
If you have generously decided to leave Changing Faces a gift in your Will, we’ve put together some examples of wording that could be used when drafting or amending your Will:
Wording if you’re leaving a percentage (also referred to as a residuary gift)
“I give [per cent ( %)] of the residue of my real and personal estate to Changing Faces of The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW (registered charity no.1011222) and the receipt of a duly authorised officer for the time being of Changing Faces Charity shall be sufficient discharge for my Executors.”
Wording if you’re leaving a set sum (also referred to as a pecuniary gift)
“I give the sum of [pounds (£ )] to Changing Faces of The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW (registered charity no.1011222) and the receipt of a duly authorised officer for the time being of Changing Faces Charity shall be sufficient discharge for my Executors.”
Wording if you’re leaving a particular asset (also referred to as a specific gift)
“I give my [item] to Changing Faces of The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW (registered charity no.1011222) and the receipt of a duly authorised officer for the time being Changing Faces Charity shall be sufficient discharge for my Executors.”
Reversionary gifts
If you’re considering leaving assets in trust which will pass to Changing Faces once any life interest has ended (also referred to as a reversionary gift) please consult your solicitor. They will be able to provide you with an appropriate form of wording and advise you on the complexities of doing this.
When wording your Will, please always check with your solicitor or professional Will writer to ensure that your wishes will be met.
When my husband and I married, we set about sorting out our joint wills. Leaving a gift to Changing Faces felt like a natural next step in supporting a charity we both care deeply about. Although we hope it will be some time before Changing Faces receives our gift, it means a lot to think that we’ll be championing their good work well into the future.
How to include our name in your Will
When naming Changing Faces as receiving a gift in your Will, we suggest you include our registered name, address and charity number.
Changing Faces, The Circle, 33 Rockingham Lane, Sheffield, S1 4FW (registered charity no.1011222)
Help finding a solicitor
While we can offer guidance on this process, we cannot offer legal advice and recommend that you seek independent legal support when writing or amending your Will.
You can find a registered solicitor in England or Wales by visiting the law society database. You can also search the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner (STEP) directory to find a specialist solicitor.
