Every November, participating solicitors who have signed up to Will Aid, volunteer their time and waive their fee for writing a basic Will. Part of this scheme invites clients to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid – they suggest around £100 for a single basic Will and £180 for a pair of basic ‘mirror’ Wills.
There are Will Aid solicitors all over the UK that are offering people the opportunity to protect their children’s future and give to charity at the same time. All the money donated is shared between the nine participating charities which I have listed below, you can click the images and check out each of the charities websites:
ActionAid – ActionAid is an international charity that works with women and girls living in poverty. Our dedicated local staff are changing the world with women and girls. We are ending violence and fighting poverty so that all women, everywhere, can create the future they want.
Age UK – Age UK is here for older people when they need us most – from providing an older person with a friendly telephone call each week to helping people access the advice and support they need when facing the challenges of later life.
British Red Cross – The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, responding to disasters, conflicts and individual emergencies here in the UK and across the world. They enable vulnerable people to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, they help people to recover and move on with their lives.
Christian Aid – Christian Aid exists to create a world where everyone can live a full life, free from poverty. They are a global movement of people, churches and local organisations who passionately champion dignity, equality and justice worldwide.
NSPCC – It’s estimated more than half a million children suffer abuse or neglect in the UK a year. That’s why we’re leading the fight against child abuse in the UK and Channel Islands. And we’ll continue to do so until all children are safe from harm.
Save the Children – Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the UK and around the world, they give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. They do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
SCIAF (Scotland) – Inspired by the Gospel, and guided by Catholic Social Teaching, SCIAF reaches out with love to our global neighbours in need, regardless of gender, class, race or religion.
Sightsavers – For over 60 years Sightsavers has been working in the developing world to save sight and promote equal opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision. There are 36 million blind people in the world, but 75 per cent of blindness can be cured or prevented. That’s 27 million people who are blind when they needn’t be.
Trócaire (N.Ireland) – Formed in 1973, Trócaire supports communities in their efforts to improve their lives, meet their basic needs and ensure their human dignity in a way that is both long term and sustainable.
All these charities carry out life-changing work here in the UK and around the world so even if you miss the deadlines for November please still support these great charities in whatever way you can for the rest of the year(s).
Have you thought about this?
There are many people who, for one reason or another, can be left vulnerable if someone dies without a Will? Children, especially younger dependent children, are, particularly at risk. The Will Aid poll into Wills and inheritance reveals that over half of all adults do not have a Will and worse still, only 32% of respondents with dependent children have a Will.
No one wants to consider the possibility that they might not survive to see their children grow to adulthood, but as a parent, making a Will is the responsible action to take don’t you think?
By making a Will, you can:
- Indicate who you think should care for the children in the event of your death and the Courts will take your views into consideration.
- Nominate guardians for the children in case both parents die at the same time. The guardianship should be reviewed from time to time to ensure that the named individuals are still suitable. For example, if grandparents are named they may become unwell or simply too elderly to care for the children.
- Provide financially for your children and also decide at what age they can inherit. Children cannot inherit until the age of sixteen in Scotland and eighteen in the rest of the UK.
Any parent who has remarried when widowed or divorced should make specific provision for their children. If not, assets will pass to the new spouse and the children may receive nothing. Stepchildren can also lose out if there is no Will and they have not been formally adopted.
When someone dies without a Will, the resulting problems can usually be sorted out eventually but after a great deal of stress and expense. The outcome is rarely as good as the deceased would have wished for. To protect your children and write a Will with Will Aid this November.
If you missed the November Will Aid in 2020 be first to hear about the 2021 Will Aid by visiting their website link HERE https://www.willaid.org.uk/will-makers/be-the-first or you can call the hotline on 0300 0300 013.
