Leave a gift in your Will
A charity gift in your Will is a special way to reach out to future generations.
Did you know almost two thirds of adults in the UK have not written a Will?
Writing your Will is a great opportunity to get your affairs in order, helps avoid delays and distress for your loved ones and is a fantastic way to support causes like CAFOD that are close to your heart.
Gaynor Jackson, consultant solicitor at Ward Hadaway, shares her five top tips for writing a Will.
Writing or updating a Will?
Order or download our free Will guide
1) List everything you own and anything you owe
This will give you an idea of the value of your estate.
2) Think about the people and causes you’d like to leave a gift to
You can leave a cash amount, a share of your estate or a particular item. If naming a charity in your will, make sure you include their registered charity number and address.
3) Choose someone to carry out your wishes – your executors
They can be a trusted relative or friend, or a professional such as a solicitor or accountant.
4) Once you’ve made your decisions, consult a qualified legal adviser
They will help you ensure that everything is covered accurately.
5) Remember to update your Will when your circumstances change, such as having children or retiring
If you want to make a simple change to your Will to add a gift to CAFOD, you might want to consider what’s known as a codicil.
See an example of a codicil and other frequently asked questions
CAFOD and the National Free Wills Network
Many of us put off writing a Will. Perhaps it seems like a daunting task, complicated to arrange, expensive or time-consuming. But it doesn’t have to be!
CAFOD is part of the National Free Wills Network and can help you have a simple Will written for free.
George and Eleanor, CAFOD supporters from London, used the Network to write their Wills.
George told us:
“I’m fortunate to be in a position that my children can be looked after and I can also remember CAFOD. Writing our Wills using the Network was simple, straightforward and easy – it took less than an hour!
“Leaving a gift to CAFOD is a way for something to live on for many years. I trust them to use the gift wisely to tackle future challenges.”
There’s no obligation to remember CAFOD in your Will when using this service, but we do hope you’ll consider the incredible difference your gift could make to those around the world who will need our support in the future.
Free Will-writing guide
Download our free Will-writing guide or order your copy to receive in the post.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to frequently asked questions and information on different types of legacies.