Did you know that you can now support The Aloud Charity by leaving a gift in your will?
We are delighted to have partnered with JNP Legal to offer a free will-writing service. By leaving a donation and remembering The Aloud Charity in your will, you’ll give young people unforgettable, life-changing experiences.
A gift of any size will provide a safe space for future generations of young people across Wales to grow in self-belief, to learn new skills and make friends for life. What better way to celebrate your love of music and singing, your passion for Wales, or your belief in a better future for our young people.
We sat down with Rachael McCarthy–Jones TEP, an Associate Solicitor in JNP’s Life Planning team, to go back to the basics. We learnt about why it’s important to have a will, how to go about making one, and how you can support The Aloud Charity at the same time!
So Rachael, tell us a little bit about your role?
I am an Associate Solicitor and a full member of the Society for Trust and Estate Practitioners. I work in the Life Planning Team at JNP Legal, an independent law firm with offices in Llanishen, Nelson and Merthyr Tydfil.
The Life Planning Team focus on law for individuals, wills, lasting powers of attorney, Court of Protection, Grants of Probate/Letters of Administration, Estate administration, trusts and post-death variations.
The team at JNP Legal is a collective of experienced, dedicated and professional solicitors and support staff who are passionate about delivering exceptional service and value for money.
What’s a will?
A will is a legal document that states what should happen to your Estate after your days.
By having a will in place, it will be both clear who is to inherit and what they are to receive, whether it is money, property or other possessions. This should not only offer peace of mind but also avoid uncertainty, which is often the catalyst for arguments that arise between family members after a death.
When is the best time to write a will?
Making a will should be part of an individual’s general life planning but it is essential where one owns property or other assets, where one has children or other dependants and where an unmarried couple are cohabiting and wish to provide for each other.
You should review your will every 3-5 years or where there has been a change in circumstances, such as marriage or divorce.
What happens if you don’t have a will?
If you do not have a will, the Intestacy rules determine who inherits your estate. This may result in your estate passing to persons for whom you did not intend to provide.
It is a misconception that a co-habiting couple will automatically inherit from one another. This is not the case under the intestacy rules. Furthermore the intestacy rules only recognise biological and legally adopted children. Therefore if you wish to provide for a co-habiting partner or step-child it is important that you make a will.
If someone is unmarried and has no living relatives, with no valid will in place, their estate could pass to the Crown (Government).
How do you go about making one?
The laws and regulatory requirements surrounding the making of a will can be complex, so always instruct a Solicitor. At JNP Legal, we offer initial appointments via the telephone, online, or at any one of our three offices. We also conduct home visits where necessary. You will benefit from meeting with one of our qualified lawyers who will guide and support you through the process of making a will and advise you on the options available to you. The lawyer will prepare the will in accordance with your instructions and meet with you to oversee the will signing process.
What would the typical costs be for a simple will?
A simple will for a single person is usually £194 + VAT. A mirror will is £308 + VAT.
How do people go about choosing a charity to support in their will?
People who leave charitable legacies in their will usually have a connection to that charity. Perhaps they or someone close to them has benefited or received support from the charity.
If a person is undecided about whether to leave a legacy to a charity, it may be beneficial for them to approach the charity to obtain further information about the aims of the charity and how the legacy is likely to be used to support those aims.
How can you leave a gift in your will to The Aloud Charity?
A legacy to charity can take any form. A gift of a specific cash sum, a gift of property or personal effects that you think the charity may benefit from. Some people even choose to gift a percentage of their Estate to charity.
Leaving a gift or even your entire Estate to charity can reduce and in some cases eliminate an inheritance tax liability.
We are proud to be working with The Aloud Charity to offer a will writing service for free, which means 100% of your donation will go directly to supporting their work.
To find out more about how you can support The Aloud Charity by leaving a gift in your will, please visit our Legacy Giving page.
Or, if you’d prefer to have a confidential chat about any of the ways that you can support us, please call 029 2048 1715 or email [email protected]
