Free Wills Month – Your Will supporting Barnardo’s
March is Free Wills Month. Our exclusive partnership with Barnardo’s means that, if you are 55 or over, our specialist Will solicitors across the network will create a simple Will, professionally written, that captures everything from final wishes and organ donation preferences, to basic inheritance and tax planning, free of charge. In return, those taking advantage of the offer will be asked to consider leaving a legacy gift in their Will to Barnardo’s.
Nearly half of the money Barnardo’s receives comes from gifts people leave in their Wills. Without these gifts much of the vital work they do to care for vulnerable children, young people and families would not be possible. Since the scheme started back in 2010, an incredible £17.2m has been pledged in future legacy income for vulnerable and disadvantaged children throughout the UK.
Why make a Will?
A recent IRN Wills and Probate Research Report, titled UK Wills & Probate Market 2020: Consumer Research Report [1] , found that fewer than 4 in 10 adults in the UK have made a Will.
Nobody knows what is around the corner, and a Will is the best way to protect your family and make sure your wishes are followed.
When somebody dies without a Will their assets are shared according to the rules of intestacy. These rules can mean that those who you might have wanted to benefit from your Will receive nothing. For example, unmarried partners who are not in a civil partnership have no right to inherit under intestacy.
Your family may also have to pay extra Inheritance Tax if you have not planned your Will with a legal expert in advance.
If children under 18 lose their parents and there is no Will in place the court appoints a guardian to look after them. The guardian may not be the person the parents would have chosen, so making a Will is especially important if you have young children.
Why support Barnardo’s now?
When the Covid-19 crisis hit, lockdown measures had grave economic and social consequences for the most vulnerable children, young people and families. This is likely to continue for many years to come, so support is more urgent now than ever.
Last year alone Barnardo’s helped 382,872 children, young people and families through their 791 services.
During the pandemic Barnardo’s:
Delivered 7.027 food parcels to children, young people and families in poverty.
Delivered 7,260 mental health and wellbeing packs to those in need of support.
Bought 1,383 computers and 218 mobile phones so children could participate in online learning and families could continue to see each other.
Barnardo’s also supported 103,057 vulnerable children and families through their COVID-19 response programme, See, Hear, Respond. Through this programme more than £250,000 of funds were provided to help families with basic needs such as food, clothing, heating, white goods, transport and digital access.
Another 360,000 people benefitted from Barnardo’s online advice hub. Out of a survey of 3,000 families, 98% said this advice was helpful to them.
Barnardo’s believes every child should be loved and receive the best possible start in life. They provide a range of support services and work with organisations across the country to care for children in all circumstances. This includes young carers, those affected by domestic abuse, children with parents in prison, children seeking asylum and the growing number of children who are being diagnosed with mental health issues.
To find out about making a free Will this March, simply call us on 0808 250 3834.
http://www.irn-research.com/market-research-reports/uk-wills-trusts-probate-market-2020-consumer-research-report/
[1] CBRE, UK real estate to see marked recovery in 2022, says CBRE, https://news.cbre.co.uk/uk-real-estate-to-see-marked-recovery-in-2022-says-cbre/