Making a will is something many of us put off, or perhaps we don’t like to think quite that far ahead. But having a will in place is one of the simplest ways to make sure your wishes are known and that the people, causes and things that matter to you are looked after in the future.

That’s why Free Wills Month is a great opportunity to take that first step – and, if you choose to, consider leaving a gift to Ferne Animal Sanctuary in your will.

What is Free Wills Month?

Free Wills Month is an initiative that gives people aged 55 and over the opportunity to have a simple Will written or updated by a participating solicitor, free of charge.

It’s a chance to put your affairs in order and make sure your wishes are recorded, without the usual cost of arranging a Will.

Availability can vary, so we recommend checking the Free Wills Month website for details of participating solicitors and eligibility during the current campaign.

What happens if you don’t make a Will?

It’s a question many people don’t think about: if I die without making a Will, where does my money and property go?

If you die without a valid will, you are said to have died “intestate”. Your money, property and possessions – known as your estate – are then distributed according to the legal rules of intestacy.

This means you don’t get to choose who inherits your estate. Instead, the law sets out who can inherit and in what order.

For example, in England and Wales, your husband, wife or civil partner will usually inherit, although what they receive can depend on the value of your estate and whether you have children. If you don’t have a surviving spouse or civil partner, your children may inherit. Other relatives may inherit if there is no spouse, civil partner or children.

Importantly, some people you might expect to inherit don’t automatically have a right to do so. For example, an unmarried partner or a stepchild who hasn’t been legally adopted by you isn’t automatically treated in the same way as a spouse, civil partner or child under the intestacy rules.

And if someone dies without a will and has no relatives who are entitled to inherit under the rules, their estate can ultimately pass to the Crown. This is known as bona vacantia.

Making a will means you can make your wishes clear, rather than leaving the distribution of your estate to the rules of intestacy.

Why make a Will?

A will gives you the opportunity to decide what happens to your estate after your death. It can also help reduce uncertainty for the people you leave behind.

Writing a will gives you the chance to think about the people who are important to you, as well as the charities and causes you have supported during your lifetime.

For many people, leaving a charitable gift is a simple way of continuing to support something they care about, long into the future.

Leaving a gift to Ferne

At Ferne Animal Sanctuary, we’ve been caring for animals since 1939 and your support via a gift in your Will, however large or small, can help us continue that work in the years ahead. Legacies can contribute towards the everyday costs of caring for our animals, including food, veterinary treatment, accommodation and enrichment.

Your gift could even help provide a future for animals who have not yet come through our doors.

And you don’t need to be wealthy to leave a legacy. After you’ve made provision for your loved ones, any gift you choose to leave to Ferne can make a meaningful difference.

For Celia, one of our supporters, Ferne has always held a special place in her heart and we’re incredibly grateful for her decision to remember animals in need in her Will.

Your wishes, your choice

There are different ways you can leave a gift to Ferne in your Will. You might choose to leave a specific sum of money, a particular item or a percentage of your estate.

If you already have a will, you don’t necessarily need to start again – a solicitor can advise you on whether a simple update or codicil could be appropriate.

We always recommend taking professional legal advice when making or changing your will.

A lasting act of kindness

For those who have supported Ferne during their lifetime, leaving a gift in your will can be a way of continuing that support into the future.

It could help ensure that, for generations to come, Ferne remains a place where animals can find safety, care and a second chance.

If you’ve been meaning to make or update your Will, Free Wills Month could be the perfect opportunity to do it.

And if Ferne has a special place in your heart, you may also want to consider leaving a gift to the animals in your Will.

To find out more about leaving a legacy to Ferne, please contact our team. We’d be very happy to talk to you, with no obligation at frm@ferneanimalsanctury.org

Thank you for helping us give animals a better future – today and for years to come.

Please note: This article is intended as general information and not as legal advice. We recommend speaking to a qualified solicitor about your individual circumstances.