More than 27 million people in the UK do not have a Will – which means that their estates will pass under the laws of intestacy and their family members are left behind to deal with a potentially distressing situation.  It also means that the opportunity of leaving a legacy to a favoured chairty such your nearest branch of the RSPCA is lost.

Legacies left under a Will provide a crucial source of income to charities such as the RSPCA, enabling them to continue which their essential work in protecting animals.

There are different types of legacies which you can leave under your Will, the most common include:

Residuary Bequest – This is a gift of the remainder of yourestate after all other bequests have been made, and your debts settled.

 

Pecuniary Bequest – A fixed sum of money.

 

Specific Bequest – A particular item such as a piece of jewellery or furniture.

 

Contingent Bequest – A gift in your Will which is contingent on a particular event happening ie the bequest to a charity will only take event if the other beneficiaries named in the Will die before the person making the Will.