Leaving the National Literacy Trust a gift in your will is an effective way of continuing to support our work and ensuring we can continue to transform lives through literacy in the future.
If you are interested in finding out more about supporting us in this way, you may find some of the information below useful.
Making a will
A will is your way of taking care of the people you love after you are gone. Your Will also ensures that your final wishes are carried out.
Why write a will?
People who die without writing a will have no say over what happens to their estate when they are gone.
The estate is distributed according to the laws of intestacy and may not benefit everyone you would wish it to.
How much will it cost?
Writing your Will does not have to be a complicated or expensive process. If you have not written a will we would recommend talking to a solicitor or professional will writer who can help you through the process. A will is a legal document and needs to be written correctly in order to be adhered to. Will writing can cost as little as £70.
What do I need to think about when writing a will?
We do recommend speaking to a solicitor or professional to help you write your will.
The following is a list of things you need to consider in order to understand what you have and how you want to distribute it in your will. Doing this in advance of seeing a solicitor can save you time and money.
What assets do you have?
List everything including property, cars, valuables and money.
Do you have any liabilities?
List what you owe including mortgages, credit cards and loans.
List your beneficiaries and legacies.
List everyone you would like to benefit from your estate and what you would like to leave to each of them. At this stage, you may also like to include your chosen charity.
Chose someone to carry out your wishes (executors).
These can either be professionals such as your solicitors, members of your family or friends. Name at least two individuals and remember to ask before nominating them to make sure they are happy to take on the responsibility.
Keep your will safe and update it whenever your circumstances change.
Reviewing your will regularly will ensure that it is up to date. Minor alterations can be made by way of a codicil which should be witnessed and kept with your original will.
Leaving a gift to the National Literacy Trust
There are three different types of gift you can leave in your will:
- Residuary legacy: Part, or all, of your estate (after debts, funeral costs and pecuniary gifts are paid)
- Pecuniary legacy: A specific sum, which can be index-linked to safeguard its future value
- Specific legacy: A particular item to be used or sold by the beneficiary
If you would like to remember us in your will, here is some suggested wording for your solicitor:
Residuary gifts
“I give all/fraction/% share of the residue of my estate to the National Literacy Trust (RCN 1116260) of 68 South Lambeth Road, London SW8 1RL, to be used for its general charitable purposes, and I direct that the receipt of the treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”
Pecuniary or Specific gifts
“I give to The National Literacy Trust (RCN 1116260) of 68 South Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1RL, the sum of £amount/specific gift of my item to be used for its general charitable purposes and I direct that the receipt of the treasurer or duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.”
The National Literacy Trust will use your gift to ensure we continue to transform lives through literacy, reaching the hardest to reach communities and enabling individuals to fulfil their potential.
Find a solicitor
For more information or to find a solicitor in your area contact The Law Society on 020 7242 1222 or visit their website.
