Wills and legacies
LEGACIES that people have left in their Will to Ferne Animal Sanctuary have enhanced and secured the lives of the many animals in its care. Friends and family of Thelma Wine, a loyal supporter of Ferne and dog show judge, gave Ferne donations in her memory amounting to £1000 which went towards a new dog grooming room.
The Baroness Van Heemstra left a legacy which funded a barn for the farm animals which is now know as the Van Heemstra Shelter.
Other legacies have funded the dogs day shelter, cattery and kitten room, the tortoise run and so much more.
Legacy gifts from supporters will always play an invaluable role in helping to provide refuge for the unwanted animals in Ferne's care and we know that if the animals could speak for themselves they would be grateful for the support given to Ferne to enable its work to continue.
SHOULD I MAKE A WILL?
If you have a family it is very important for you to make a Will to ensure that they are provided for after your death. If no Will exists, everything will not necessarily go to your spouse or partner. If you have no family, your whole estate automatically goes to the Crown if you have not made a Will.
HOW DO I MAKE A WILL?
It is always best to ask a solicitor to draw up a Will. He will be able to offer you legal advice on wording etc. and make sure that there can be no misunderstanding or confusion when it becomes necessary for the Will to be proven. Making a Will can be very simple and almost certainly cheaper than the legal costs of arranging the distribution of your estate if you do not. Not making a Will can mean lots of heartache and worry for those left behind.
DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO GIVE TO WHOM
When you have decided what you want to give to whom, know the names and addresses of all those you wish to remember in your Will and decide what specific gift you wish to make to them.
If you would like to help Ferne Animal Sanctuary by leaving a bequest in your Will, the following wording may be of assistance:
A GIFT OF THE RESIDUE OF AN ESTATE
I give to Ferne Animal Sanctuary of CHARD, Somerset TA20 3DH, all (or a percentage of) the residue of my estate to be applied for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Director or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the same.
A GIFT OF A SPECIFIC LEGACY
I give to Ferne Animal Sanctuary of CHARD, Somerset TA20 3DH, the sum of £.......................to be applied for its general purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Director or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge for the same.
CHANGING YOUR WILL.
Remember to update your Will if circumstances change. Alterations can be made by a "codicil", a formal addition to your Will. This document will need signing and witnessing in the same way as your Will. Please do not make changes by crossing out paragraphs or adding to it, this could invalidate the Will.
UNDERSTANDING LEGAL TERMS
Beneficiary - a person or organisation that benefits from your Will.
Bequest - a sum of money or a specific item in your Will.
Codicil - an addition or change to your Will.
Estate - the total sum of all your assets at the time of your death.
Executor(s) - someone appointed by you to ensure that the instructions in your Will are carried out.
Intestacy - the state of dying without having made a Will.
Legacy - a gift/bequest in your Will.
Ferne Animal Sanctuary, Chard, Somerset TA20 3DH
T 01460 65214
E info@ferneanimalsanctuary.org
www.ferneanimalsanctuary.org
REGISTERED CHARITABLE TRUST NO. 245671
