Do you have some questions? Our frequently asked questions about the Will writing process and how a gift in your Will could make a difference, could help.

It’s natural for us to believe there’s plenty of time before we have to take this important step, we all hope there is, but experience tells us that it’s never too early.

You may already have a Will in place but major changes can happen in life, including marriage, divorce, having children or even the death of a loved one, which can potentially invalidate some, or all, of a current Will.

If you already have a Will, it can easily be updated with what’s known as a codicil. It is very important to update your Will from time to time, to ensure it reflects your wishes and intentions.

We would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your wishes. We can answer any questions you may have about gifts in Wills and can also offer a referral to the National Free Wills Network or Octopus Legacy Will writing services, who can offer you the opportunity to have a simple Will written or updated for free.

Please contact us on 0151 343 0883. We understand what a private matter this is, so anything we discuss will be completely confidential. You can find out more about this special way of giving, whenever you are ready, as both of these services are available all year round.

Gifts in Wills have become a significant part of our hospice income and we are extremely grateful when people choose to leave such a special gift.

1 in 5 children we care for is funded by gifts in Wills. Every gift can make a positive difference. Although some of the gifts we receive are large ones, the majority are not, and it is what all of these gifts achieve together each year that makes them so important and so appreciated.

Thank you for your interest in using the National Free Wills Network service.

You will receive your free Will writing information pack in the post soon. The pack will include everything you need to complete your Will; including a list of your nearest participating solicitors and a Confidential Declaration Form that acts as your Free Will voucher.

Please note that the pack will be sent from the National Free Wills Network, within 5 working days.

Once you have received your Free Wills pack, simply follow the step by step guide to completing your Will;

  1. Choose your nearest or most convenient solicitor from the list provided
  2. Call the solicitor directly and make your appointment
  3. Take your yellow Confidential Declaration Form with you to the appointment
  4. The solicitor will draft your Will according to your instructions
  5. Sign the Confidential Declaration Form once your Will is completed

In the meantime, while you wait for your information pack to arrive, you may wish to download this useful document. This Will planner guide is helpful for making your notes before your solicitor’s appointment. It can help you think of who will be the executors of your Will, who will look after your children, what are your assets and liabilities, and who you may wish to leave gifts to.

Download my FREE Will planner guide

There are three ways of including a gift in your Will.

  • pecuniary gift is a fixed amount of money of your choice.
  • You can choose to include specific items in your Will, such as jewellery, household items or property.
  • You can also choose to include a residuary gift, which is is a percentage or share of the balance of your estate once all other payments and gifts have been made. You can include 1%, 100% or anything in-between. Including a share of your estate is a way of helping a charity in the future without having to decide on a precise sum today.

If you would like to find out more about Will writing and how including a gift in your Will to Claire House could make a difference, we welcome you to join us at one of our Gifts in Wills events.

These special events will give you the opportunity to hear from a local solicitor about the importance of a valid Will, protecting your loved ones and the opportunities to leave future gifts for the people and causes you care most about. You will also hear about the impact your support has on the work across Claire House, now and in the future.

If you would like to receive updates about our events, register your interest here

Writing a Will, with a solicitor, ensures that your wishes are carried out, and that the people and causes you care about are looked after.

Think about the family, friends, and charities you’d like to remember in your Will. If you are thinking of including a gift to Claire House in your Will, we thank you for considering us for your special gift.

Once you have decided on your gift, your solicitor may ask you for our charity details to write your gift in to your Will. This ensures your gift comes to us correctly.

Registered Charity Number: 1004058

Claire House Children’s Hospice

Clatterbridge Road

Bebington,

CH63 4JD

If you need to find a solicitor, don’t forget we are part of the National Free Wills Network, so you could have a simple Will professionally written or updated free of charge. Simply complete the Contact form to receive your FREE information pack in the post.

You can also write your Will online or over the phone with Octopus Legacy. To use their online service you can click here or phone the team on 0800 773 4014 and quote: CLAIREHOUSE to get started.

You may have already included a gift for Claire House in your Will and if you have, thank you. We know your Will is personal to you. In most circumstances, we will not know you have left us a gift in your Will, until your Will is read.

If you wish your gift to remain private, you do not need to do anything. However, if you would like to let us know that you have included a gift to Claire House in your Will, we would welcome the opportunity to thank you and let you know how your gift can make a difference.

Please feel free to call us on: 0151 343 0883 to chat with us about your special gift or use our contact form. You can update us anytime to let us know which areas would be of most interest to you to hear more about, across the hospice. We want to make sure you always get the news and special updates you wish to receive.

We look forward to talking with you soon.