What happens after you’ve gone?

Writing a will is really important to ensure loved ones know what you want after you pass away. Wills help families to know what to do with property, money and belongings left behind. They can also help to make sure that you pay no more Inheritance Tax than necessary.

You can write a will yourself, but it will need to be formally witnessed in order to be valid. To make sure your will is clear and proper, it may be best to go to a professional, such as a solicitor, for help. A will should include who you want to be your executor (who handles your estate), who you want to benefit from your will, and any clauses that outline what should happen if the people you want to benefit should die before you.

Our will writing service

Deafblind UK has partnered with Octopus Legacy, a will writing service, to offer members a free simple will, which would normally cost £90. You can access this service by calling 0800 7734014, or click here to find out more online.

It is possible to leave a gift to charity in your will, which means some of your inheritance will go to a cause you are passionate about. A donation will either be taken off the value of your estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated or may even reduce Inheritance Tax if 10% or more of your estate is left to charity. To do this, you need to include the charity’s full name in your will. You could check with your chosen charity, or search the charity register, which can be found online.

Leaving a gift to charity

Giving a gift to charity in your will is a great way to help those who need it or support a cause you’re passionate about. Last year, Deafblind UK was able to help 23,000 people affected by deafblindness, make 4,308 wellbeing calls, and match 158 Deafblind UK members to befrienders. Lots of our work is facilitated by gifts left in wills; to help provide support for those in the future. Please consider leaving a gift to Deafblind UK.