Sewa UK - Leaving a Legacy

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Leaving a Legacy

A gift can be left by writing a Will or amending an existing one. By leaving a gift in your Will, you'll become an essential part of our efforts to create a future where we serve all in need.

Anyone can leave a gift to charity in their Will, and it's as simple as following 2 easy steps.

1. Write your Will - Speak to a Will-writing provider, so you can make sure your final wishes and loved ones are well looked after.

2. Get it in touch with us - We have support at hand to help you with more information and advice. Three reasons to make a Will and keep it up to date

Three reasons to make a Will and keep it up to date

1. Make it easier on friends and family

A Will makes it much easier for your family and friends to take care of your estate and be sure they’re acting on your wishes. Without a Will, the process can be difficult, stressful and time-consuming.

2. Help to minimise inheritance tax

If you’ve got a Will, it can help reduce the amount of inheritance tax that needs to be paid on your estate.

3. Protect the rights of your partner

If you and your partner aren’t married or in a civil partnership, you don’t have the same automatic rights as those who are married. You can make sure your partner’s looked after by naming them in your Will.

How to leave a gift in your Will

If you wish to include Dementia UK in your Will, you will need our registered name, address and charity number:

Registered name: International - trading as Sewa UK

Address: 1100 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8A, Registered Charity Number 1135425. Company registered in England and Wales No. 06976220.

If you are writing a new Will, you should find a solicitor to help you draw this up.

You will need to think about a few things before making your Will:

Who will be named as your executors; the people who will make sure your wishes are fulfilled
Calculate the value of your assets; make a note of your possessions from small items such as jewellery to larger assets including property, savings and investments.
Choose the family and friends you’d like to remember. After them, consider whether you would like to leave a gift to charity

Choosing a solicitor

A solicitor will be able to advise you on leaving charitable gifts when making a Will. Before enlisting a solicitor, check how much they charge and, if possible, get recommendations from those around you. You may be entitled to legal aid if you are 70 or over; disabled; a parent of a disabled person and wish for that person to be provided for in the Will; or a single person that wishes to appoint a guardian in the Will. More information can be found at your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

A valid Will must be

In writing.
Signed by the testator (the person who has made the Will or given the legacy)
Signed by two witnesses present at the same time (the witnesses cannot be beneficiaries of the Will)
The testator must have ‘capacity’, i.e: the ability to use and understand information to make a decision, and communicate any decision made.

Type of gift

Your gift can be as small or big as you like – all donations will help us support Sewa UK’s wide ranging work in Disaster Relief, Education, Health and Social welfare and youth programmes.

Gifts are generally specified in the following categories:

Residuary gift: A gift of any portion of your estate that remains after payment of debts, administration expenses and distribution of any specific gifts.
Pecuniary gift: A gift of a specific amount of money you desire to donate. Such gifts can be expressed to be ‘index linked’ so the sum gift holds its value in line with inflation.
Specific gift: A gift of a specific item you wish to leave, e.g. jewellery, artwork or furniture.

Many supporters choose to leave a share of their estate (a residuary gift) for the simple reason that it keeps pace with inflation and enables you to ensure that your family and friends are cared for. After you have thought about those closest to you, would you consider leaving just 1% of your estate to Sewa UK?

Wording for a gift

We strongly suggest contacting a professional when drawing up or amending your Will. If you decide to leave a gift to Sewa UK, your solicitor may use some specific wording to ensure your wishes are carried out. The suggested wording below covers the main types of charitable gifts:

‘I give to Sewa International (Sewa UK), 1100 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8AD, Registered Charity Number 1135425, ……………….. % of my estate / the sum of £……………….. / specific item(s) ……………………………….. to be used for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or duly authorised Officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge for my Executors.’

FAQ's

What are Sewa UK’s charity details?

If you decide you would like to include a gift to Sewa UK, you need to know our registered charity number and address which must be written into your Will. Sewa International (Sewa UK), 1100 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8AD, Registered Charity Number 1135425.

Is there suggested wording to leave a gift in my Will?

Your solicitor should be familiar with the wording required to leave a gift in your Will, however please find below some suggested wording your solicitor may wish to use. Please refer to the glossary for any explanations of terms used.

Wording for a residuary gift (a percentage)

I give my Residuary Estate [residuary estate will need to have been defined elsewhere in the Will and is a gift made after deductions of debts, taxes and expenses, which usually fall on residue] to Sewa International (Sewa UK), 1100 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8AD, Registered Charity Number 1135425

Wording for a Pecuniary gift (a specified amount)

I give the sum of [£ in words and numbers] absolutely to the Sewa International (Sewa UK), 1100 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, B28 8AD, Registered Charity Number 1135425 and I declare that the receipt of the treasurer or any other proper authorised officer of any charity benefiting under my Will shall be a sufficient discharge for my Trustees who shall not be concerned as to the application of any gifts or payment.

I already have a Will. Can I update it to include Sewa UK?

Yes. You can add a codicil for any minor changes to your Will, including the addition of a charity. When you speak to your solicitor they will advise you if a codicil is the best option. If there are several changes to make it may be more appropriate to re-write your Will - which doesn't cost much more.

Can I specify how I would like my gift to be used?

Yes. Please contact the Legacy Team for more information on legacy@sewauk.org

Will my gift be taxed?

No. Gifts to charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax and this can be a way of reducing exposure of your estate to tax. For more information, visit the HM Revenue & Customs website.

How much does the gift have to be to make a real difference?

Every gift can make a positive difference to the future of our causes and recipients of your gift. Although some of the gifts we receive are large ones, the majority are not, and it is what these gifts achieve together that makes them so important and so appreciated.

Is there any way to get involved and support as a solicitor?

If you are a solicitor interested in supporting the Sewa UK, please do get in touch.

Get in touch

For further information and to speak to one of our Relationship Liaisons, please register here.

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