Legacies - Frequently Asked Questions

There can be a lot to think about when it comes to making or adapting your Will.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions you might have.

Do I have to make a Will?
Do I need a solicitor?
Do I need to think about inheritance tax?
Can I change my existing Will to include a gift?
What if I can only leave a small gift?
What information do I need to include
What do I do if I've already left a gift?

Do I have to make a Will?

Making a Will is the only way to make sure your family and friends are provided for in the way that you want. Otherwise, your exact wishes may not be carried out after you die. It’s also important to make a Will to protect your loved ones from an unwelcome tax bill.

Do I need a solicitor?

No, but we’d always recommend that you do for independent advice and to ensure your Will contains the correct legal wording. If you do not have a solicitor, The Law Society can help you find a suitable one in your area.

In England and Wales, go to lawsociety.org.uk, or call 020 7242 1222.

In Northern Ireland, contact the Law Society of Northern Ireland at lawsoc-ni.org, or call 028 9023 1614.

Do I need to think about inheritance tax?

There’s no tax payable on a gift left to charity in your Will. It could even reduce the total amount of your estate that may be liable for inheritance tax.

Can I change my existing Will to include a gift?

Yes, simply ask your solicitor to add something called a Codicil to your Will. It’s also a good idea to regularly review your Will to make sure it’s up to date. For example, there may have been births, deaths, marriages or divorce in your family since your last looked at your Will.

What if I can only leave a small gift?

Every gift we receive, large or small, can help transform the lives of people with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus, so we’re always extremely grateful for whatever help you can give.

What information do I need to include?

If you'd like to include Shine in your Will, please ask your solicitor or Will writing service to use our full name, address, and charity number to ensure we receive the gift:

Name: Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, Information, Networking, Equality – SHINE
Registered office: Unit 4, The Forum, Minerva Business Park, Peterborough PE2 6FT.
Registered charity number: 249338 Company registered in England and Wales number: 877990

What do I do if I've already left a gift to Shine

Thank you for including us in your Will, we are very grateful and we’d love the chance to thank you personally so please get in touch with us by calling 01733 555988 or emailing fundraising@shinecharity.org.uk

Our pledge to you

We understand that leaving a gift to Shine in your Will is a big commitment and one that we take very seriously. Your Will is obviously a very personal matter, and everyone has their own reasons for wanting to help Shine. That is why we make a legacy pledge of our own to anyone who chooses to support us in this way.

Shine promises to use your gift in the best way, to maximise impact and benefit as many people with Spina Bifida and/or Hydrocephalus as possible, including their families and carers
We will respect your privacy at all times and we understand that your Will is completely personal to you
We understand that family and friends will always come first
We recognise you have the absolute right to change your mind about any gift in your Will, at any time and for any reason
You are under no obligation to tell us about your plans, but any information you choose to share with us will be treated confidentially and with the utmost sensitivity.  We would also love to be able to thank you personally
We promise to keep you up-to-date with our life changing work in a way that suits you

If you would like to know more about supporting Shine through a gift in your will, please contact us on 01733 555988 or fundraising@shinecharity.org.uk