[audio:https://www.phoenixfm.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/20130228120011-st-francis-hospice.mp3|titles=20130228120011 st francis hospice] Click above to listen to the interview
Why having a Will is important – protect your loved ones
During the course of our lives, we all experience many changes such as those involving family; marriage, divorce, having children and grandchildren, as well as moving home, retirement and care needs. Making a will and then keeping it updated plays an important role so that we can plan for such changes, and ensures that our families and friends are taken care of.
In view of this, it may surprise you to know that currently, 67% of the UK adult population hasn’t made a will, either because it’s not something they think they need or they just “haven’t got around to doing it yet.” The result is that distressed relatives are often left to sort things out at an emotional time, and if there are no relatives, it can take considerable periods of time to trace any next of kin, which can prove expensive. Making a will is important as it ensures that when you die, your wishes regarding what happens to your estate are followed.
Don’t put it off – making a will can provide peace of mind, provision for family and friends, and you are in control of what will happen to everything you own. By appointing an Executor in your will, you can choose the person who will ensure that your wishes are carried out.
The importance of making a will is being highlighted by several firms of local solicitors who have kindly agreed to support a will writing initiative with Saint Francis Hospice. During our hospice Make a Will Fortnight, they will be offering to write basic wills free of charge in return for a donation to the hospice. Our next Make a Will Fortnight will be 4th – 15th March 2013.
Genevieve Gallagher from Mullis & Peake Solicitors, who participated in the 2012 event in March said: “We are delighted to support Saint Francis Hospice Make a Will Fortnight as it is such a worthy cause. People don’t always realise that if they don’t make a will, there are rules of law which set out who will inherit their Estate which may mean that their assets do not necessarily go where they would like.”
In 2012 an impressive £9,700 was raised as a result of donations given from basic wills arranged and written by local participating solicitors.
Make a Will Fortnight
Our next Make a Will Fortnight will take place 4th – 15th March. All you need to do is contact any of the participating firms of solicitors listed on the St Francis Hospice website https://www.sfh.org.uk/how-you-can-help/make-a-will-fortnight/ or contact Susan Spencer on 01708 771403 email susanspencer@sfh.org.uk
