QualitySolicitors support Barnardo’s Will Month for ninth year
QualitySolicitors has partnered with national children’s charity Barnardo’s for the ninth year running to offer those over 55 years of age a chance to get a will at no cost to them. Those benefitting from the free Will Scheme will be asked to consider leaving a legacy gift to Barnardo’s, which directly contributes to their work with hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children each year.
As many as 60% of adults in the UK do not have a will,[1] which means they will not get a choice about what happens to their personal or business assets when they pass, nor will they have a choice about the guardianship of children or who should inherit any priceless and sentimental items. The Rules of Intestacy that will apply may be inappropriate and may leave estates more vulnerable to claims.
QualitySolicitors’ and Barnardo’s award-winning Will Scheme offers anyone aged 55 and over a professionally written standard or mirror will, and a chance to end the uncertainty currently faced by more than 31 million people in the UK. A will is the only way for individuals to legally protect their wishes, offering the opportunity to capture everything from final wishes and organ donation preferences, to basic inheritance and tax planning.
QualitySolicitors Operations and Marketing Director, David Pope welcomed the continued partnership.
“We’re now in our ninth year of partnership with Barnardo’s, which speaks to the success of the Will Scheme and our belief in helping the community,” Mr Pope said, adding “We’re excited to be involved with Will Month again, giving people the opportunity to protect their interests indefinitely and potentially leave a lasting impact for disadvantaged youth too.”
The Will Scheme has already seen over 3,500 people take part and a huge £16.8m pledged in future legacy income for vulnerable and disadvantaged children throughout the UK since it began in 2010. The money goes towards research and services for young people and families who have a disability or who have experienced poverty, sexual exploitation or domestic violence.
Barnardo’s Senior Will Scheme Client Relationship Manager, Sue Westbury said the partnership with QualitySolicitors is invaluable.
“The support and engagement from participating member firms continues to result in very significant pledges which will help us to plan for the future,” Ms Westbury said.
“Barnardo’s currently has three strategic aims – to build stronger families, to make safer childhoods, and to ensure positive futures for the children, young people, carers and families that we work with. We currently operate 1,067 services across the UK helping over 301,000 people, and this wouldn’t be possible without the legacy income that we currently receive.
“Barnardo’s would like to say a huge thank you to QualitySolicitors Head Office and all the member firms who participate in the scheme.”
The law surrounding estate planning and administration is complex and there are risks involved in having a will that is not properly drafted, signed or witnessed. Using a solicitor reduces these risks and gives people reassurance that they will be protected if something does go wrong.
To take part, find a participating QualitySolicitors firm by calling 0808 250 3834.
[1] Unbiased, ’31 million UK adults at risk of dying without a will’ (2 October 2017) https://business.unbiased.co.uk/press-releases/31-million-uk-adults-at-risk-of-dying-without-a-will-2-10-2017.