2011 Make Your Will Fortnight - 9th to 20th May

HOW DOES THE MAKE YOUR WILL SCHEME WORK?

Each year a number of local solicitors agree to waive their normal fee and write wills free of charge, in return for a donation to local charity St Raphael's Hospice.

All you have to do is contact any one of the participating solicitors listed just before or between Monday 9th May and Friday 20th May 2011 - quote "MAKE YOUR WILL FORTNIGHT FOR ST RAPHAEL'S HOSPICE", you can then book an appointment to go and see the solicitor at your mutual convenience - it may or may not be in that fortnight depending on the solicitors schedule.

At your initial meeting with your chosen solicitor, you outline your circumstances to the solicitor, say what you want in your will etc., and the solicitor will advise on making a will. If you agree to go ahead, the solicitor will then ask you for a donation to St Raphael's Hospice, instead of paying the solicitor their usual will writing fee.

You then make a donation by cheque payable to "St Raphael's Hospice" – plus Gift Aid, if applicable, which the solicitor will send to the charity. For your guidance writing a will can usually cost between £70 and £120 per person. Please “Gift Aid” your donation, as that will increase it’s value to the charity by 25%, at no additional cost to you.

It should be noted that if your circumstances are complicated, or you want some specialised advice (e.g. tax advice) then the solicitor is entitled to tell you that he can't do it under the Make Your Will scheme, and will charge you for specialised advice.

But we have found that the vast majority of people only need a "basic" or "standard" will.

"Mirror" Wills, e.g. two identical wills that are written for husband and wife, count as TWO.

IS THERE ANY OBLIGATION TO LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL TO ST RAPHAEL'S HOSPICE?

No, there is no obligation, but St Raphael's is always grateful to people who remember the hospice in this way. Some three-quarters of the hospice annual costs rely on donations, charity fundraising and legacies. If you are able to leave any charitable bequest to the charities of your choice that will be much appreciated as all charities need legacy support.