Leaving a Legacy

Without you we have no hope.

Help the GM Trust to continue to fund critical research.

We urgently need your support to help CURE DMD.

All donations are vital to work of the GM Trust and one way of donating is by way of legacy.

A will is the only way we can ensure that what is ours goes where we want it to and it can also ensure that a cause will continue to be supported.

When you write or update your Will once you have considered your family and friends please consider leaving a gift (legacy) to the GM Trust as it will mean that the fight to find a cure for this severe, progressive and fatal muscle wasting disease will continue.

Purpose of a Will

A will is a legal document and ensures you can decide how your estate is divided.By using a solicitor it will ensure that all the legal formalities are correctly followed and that your Will is valid. A valid Will gives you peace of mind that your exact wishes will be carried out the way you intended.

What are the different types of legacy?

 

  1. Residuary legacy
    This is the gift of the remainder of your estate (or a percentage of the remainder) after all other gifts to family and friends have been distributed and all outgoings have been dealt with.

  2. Pecuniary legacy
    This is a fixed sum of money that tends to decrease in value over time because of inflation. For example, a legacy of £1,000 written into a Will in 1980 would now be worth less than £380.

  3. Specific legacy bequest
     This is when you choose to leave a particular named item of value, such as jewellery or an antique.

  4. Reversionary bequest
    This is where you give a friend or family member a life interest in your estate and after their death the remainder of your estate is made over to a charity or other beneficiary. This allows you to take care of those close to you for the remainder of their lifetimes. 

 

Tax Benefit

Gifts to charity are currently exempt from Inheritance Tax and a solicitor will be able to advise you about this.

Reviewing Your Will

It is important to regularly review your Will to ensure that that it still reflects your wishes as for example you may now have children or the Government may have changed the tax rules.