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Remembering The Kent Autistic Trust in your Will

Leaving The Kent Autistic Trust a gift in your Will is a valuable and lasting way that you can support us, helping us to provide vital services to support young people and adults with autism and their families for many years to come.  

 

Charitable legacies are usually free from inheritance tax and you can choose to pledge either a fixed sum, a specific gift or a share of your estate.

 

To discuss leaving a gift in your will, please contact Serita Boxall, Grant & Appeals Officer on 

01634 405168 or email sboxall@kentautistic.com 

 

Reasons to leave a legacy?

There are some financial benefits and good reasons for leaving a gift to us in your will.  Legacies are free of inheritance tax, but if you were to leave more than 10% of the value of your estate to charity, then  any inheritance tax you pay may be reduced by 10%.  A solicitor will be able to explain the benefits in more details and how they would apply to your individual circumstances.  Leaving a gift to charity in your will also ensures you are helping the work of the charity to live on. A properly and carefully prepared Will is the only way to ensure that your wishes are carried out after your death.  

  

Writing a will

Writing a will is an important thing to do and you should always take proper legal advice from someone specialized in advising vulnerable people. They will be able to advise you on the Will drafting and how it might affect a beneficiary with autism or any other disability. They will be aware of the benefits someone might be in receipt of and how leaving them a legacy might affect their entitlement.  It gives you the opportunity to make sure your loved ones are provided for, and to ensure your final wishes are carried out.  Before you make any decisions about your will, it is important to speak to a solicitor or legal advisor who can give you help and advice.  

 

If you do not have your own solicitor, ask a family or friends for a recommendation or search online for a local solicitor. Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) is a good organisation with a useful search engine for suitably qualified lawyers local to you.  

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Updating a will

If you already have a will, it is sensible to review it regularly  to make sure that it still covers everything you wish.

 

For small changes or additions you can complete a codicil which can be kept with your will and read out alongside it when the time comes.  You should always take proper legal advice from a lawyer who is suitably qualified to ensure nothing is missed when adding or altering your Will. 

 

What types of gift can I leave?  

If you chose to leave The Kent Autistic Trust a gift in your will, you can chose to leave any of the following:

 

Residuary Bequest

A gift of the remainder of your estate after all other bequests have been made and debts have been cleared.

 

Pecuniary Bequest

A gift of a fixed sum of money in your Will.  The value of pecuniary legacies will decrease over time, as the cost of living increases, unless you include a clause to confirm that the value of the gift should increase with inflation.

 

Specific Bequest

A particular named item left as a gift in your Will, is known as a specific bequest for example a piece of jewellery.

 

Any gift is gratefully received and will go towards our work supporting people affected by autism throughout Kent and Medway. You are able to express a wish stating how you would like the money to be used by the Trust where possible. Please see below frequently asked questions.

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