Leave behind a gift of hope

WHY SHOULD I MAKE A WILL?

If you die without a will, your estate is divided up in line with the rules of intestacy. This means you have little control over who receives your estate. Having an up-to-date will is the only way you can be certain that your wishes are met and ensure that:

Your wishes are respected, avoiding difficult decisions and legal complications for your loved ones

Your unmarried partner, step or foster children and other dependants are provided for. The law states that only spouses or blood relatives such as children can automatically inherit if there is no will.

You can leave them a share of the property in your will, or a right to reside in the property.

You can appoint guardians for your children if they are under 18 when you die

You can avoid paying more inheritance tax than you need to. You will be able to leave a charity you support, such as The Salvation Army, a gift when you pass away

You could also reduce the amount of inheritance tax paid by your family if you leave more than 10 per cent of your assets to charity.

You have your chosen executor who will settle your affairs.

You give instructions on who you want to look after your pets.

Your property and digital assets are protected.

To find out more, go to salvationarmy.org.uk/gifts-wills and request our free wills guide. For any questions call 020 7367 4800 or email legacyservices@ salvationarmy.org.uk.

THE kindness of people who remember the Army in their will never ceases to amaze me. Gifts in wills fund a third of all voluntary income, contributing around £60 million a year. This source of income enables The Salvation Army to plan long-term projects and deliver its huge range of programmes, reaching the most marginalised and vulnerable people in communities across the territory.

The Army was recently honoured to receive a legacy from a supporter to help – in their words – ‘young people seeking shelter and assistance’. Their compassion lives on through Springfield Lodge, a Lifehouse for young people aged 16 to 21 experiencing homelessness in Southwark. Thanks to this gift, the Lifehouse can continue to offer a safe, supportive environment, helping young people make positive choices about their current circumstances.

Another project funded through gifts in wills means the Army can help protect vulnerable people on the Polish border with Ukraine from becoming victims of modern slavery and human trafficking. The Army can use its contacts to get women and their children to a safe place, share leaflets in Ukrainian to alert displaced people to the risks of human trafficking, and engage with anti-trafficking networks.

Of course, while gifts in wills help to ensure the Army’s work can continue in years to come, it can’t be done without people first making a will. This March, why not take advantage of Free Wills Month to make leaving a legacy affordable and easy?

Free Wills Month How It Works

This March, The Salvation Army is again taking part in Free Wills Month. It will cover the cost of making a simple will – if your will is more complex, you may be asked to pay the solicitor for the extra advice.

To get started:

1. Visit freewillsmonth.org.uk or call k 0333 022 0396 for more details on the regions covered in this campaign

2. Have a think about your intentions

3. Contact a participating solicitor for an appointment