Remembering your loved ones in your will and making sure they will be cared for is naturally your first priority. However have you considered that you could also leave a gift which will help others and have a lasting effect on their lives?
A gift of health
A legacy left to SIFT in 2005 enabled us to build a health clinic in the village of El Corozal, providing much-needed healthcare to remote communities on the island of Ometepe. Since it opened the clinic has enabled thousands of patients to see the doctor for an affordable fee and receive any medicines they need for free. Through our programme of community health education patients and local school children have also learnt how to live healthier lives.
What your legacy could achieve
- £10,000 could provide 100 families with healthier, smoke free cookers.
- £25,000 could provide 50 families with safe and hygienic latrines.
- £50,000 could provide patients at our health clinics with free medicines for 4 years.
Types of gift
- A residuary legacy is a percentage of your remaining estate, after gifts to family and friends have been distributed and other expenses have been paid.
- A pecuniary legacy is a specific amount of money.
- A specific legacy is a non-cash gift, for example property, shares or a personal item of value.
However you chose to give to SIFT, your legacy will make a lasting difference to the people of Nicaragua.
How to include SIFT in your will
- Decide what you want to leave to your family and friends.
- Make an appointment with a solicitor to write or update your will.
- If you decide you’d like to leave a gift to SIFT and are making a will for the first time you can download our suggested wording to take to your solicitor. If you already have a will you can download our codicil form to update it with the help of your solicitor.
Please note that this is not intended as legal advice. We always recommend that you seek legal advice when writing or updating your will to make sure that your wishes are correctly carried out.
Frequently asked questions
If you have any questions that aren’t answered below, please get in touch with Graham at the SIFT office.
Do I need to have a will?
Having a will gives you the peace of mind that your estate will be distributed according to your wishes, rather than according to the laws of intestacy.
Where can I find a solicitor?
The Law Society has a database of solicitors which you can search to find solicitors in your local area.
How much does it cost to write a will?
A solicitor will typically charge between £100 and £200 to draw up a single will, or between £150 and £300 for a joint will. If your circumstances are more complicated these charges may increase. However if you are aged 55 or over you can take advantage of Free Wills Month.
Are there any tax implications of leaving a legacy to a charity?
A donation through your will to a charity is exempt from inheritance tax. This can help reduce any potential inheritance tax liability on your estate.