How to leave a gift in your will

Help us be there for our community, now and for years to come.

A will guarantees that your wishes will be carried out after your death, and your assets go to the people, organisations and charities that matter most to you.

If you haven't created a will yet, we understand that the process can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’ve developed a simple step-by-step guide to help you make a will and leave a gift. We also provide information for those who already have a will but wish to modify it to include a donation to St John’s.

No matter the size of your gift, it will support our plans for the future of our hospice and ensure we can be there for everyone who needs us, now and for years to come.

A step-by-step guide to leaving a gift in your will

You may also find it useful to take a look at our wills glossary which explains some of the legal terms you are likely to come across.

1. Choose a solicitor or will-writing service

Whether you choose a solicitor or a will-writing service we would suggest you ask for a quote before you get a will drafted. Costs can be lower or higher than you might expect, not only for writing your will but also for storing it. So, it is best to check what costs will be involved.

At St John’s we have a free will service through Bequeathed which helps you to make a basic will online at no cost. We also host an annual free Make a Will event where participating solicitor firms will waive their regular fee for making or amending a will. Learn more about our upcoming free will events.

2. Choose who you’d like to include in your will (individuals, organisations, charities)

You can leave a gift in your will to whoever you wish. This typically includes your family and friends as well as the organisations and charities that matter most to you. These are called your beneficiaries.

3. Decide what gifts you would like to give and any other instructions you’d like carried out

Think about what kind of gift you wish to leave and how you’d like to split it up. This is typically by one of three ways: as a specific cash amount (pecuniary gift), as a set percentage of your estate (residuary gift), or a specific gift (jewellery, artwork etc.)

You can also leave your pension pots in your will. However, many pension schemes will ask you to nominate a beneficiary specifically for your pension, it may not be enough to just state this in your will. This is often done using an expression of wish or nomination form with your pension provider.

If you have children under 18, you should also consider whom you would like appointed as their guardian. This can also apply for pets. You can also write any other wishes you might have, like instructions for your funeral.

4. Choose your executors

Your executor takes on the role of carrying out the instructions left in your will. It can be a complicated process and often takes many months It is usually best to have two executors and they can be any adult including family, friends or your solicitor. A professional executor can also be appointed at a later date by your loved ones.

5. Calculate the potential value of your estate

Your estate includes any property, cash, bank and savings accounts, stocks and shares, and all your valuables and possessions. Make a list of all these things as well as any outstanding bills, debts and invoices that would need to be deducted to establish the potential value of your estate. In some cases, inheritance tax may be payable as detailed below.

6. Consider inheritance tax

Inheritance tax is 36% instead of 40% on the estate for anyone leaving 10% or more of their taxable estate to charity, and all charity gifts are tax-exempt. The threshold at which inheritance tax is payable changes over time; by leaving a gift in your will to a charity you can ease the financial burden on your estate for your loved ones. We recommend you discuss this with your solicitor or chosen will-writing service. More information can be found on the HMRC website.

7. Write your will

Write your will with your chosen solicitor or will-writing service. Your will must be signed and witnessed in a way that makes it legally valid.

Professional will writers will make a charge for writing a will. Alternatively, you can make use of our free will service brought to you in partnership with Bequeathed. There is no obligation to leave a gift to St John’s when you use this service.

8. If you have left a gift to St John’s Hospice, please let us know

If you have remembered St John’s in your will, we would love to know. Not only will this help us make plans for the future of our hospice, but it also means we can thank you properly. Any information you give us will be kept in strict confidence and you can change your mind at any time.

You can let us know if you have left us a gift by using our online form or by getting in touch with Sophie at sophie.gray@hje.org.uk or on 020 7806 4011.

9. Keep your will safe

Store your will safely with your solicitor, in a safe place at home, or with your bank. Professional executors may even offer to store your will. Many people provide copies of their will to their named executors. If you have multiple executors, it is advisable to give each a copy or at least make them aware of where the will is kept.

10. Keep your will up to date

This is particularly important if your circumstances change. Simple changes can be affected by a codicil. More complex changes will require a new will. Never amend your will yourself and always discuss changes with your solicitor or will-writing service. It is advisable to ensure your old will is destroyed or clearly marked as an old version.

Frequently asked questions

Leaving a gift in your will is a big decision and we're sure that you'll have lots of questions, especially if you haven’t yet written a will. Below you can find some of the questions we are most frequently asked.

Why should I make a will?

Having a will is the only way to ensure that your loved ones and the causes that you care about are supported in the way that you want. A will specifies how you would like your estate (property & money) to be distributed after you die.

If you die without a will, there are certain rules which dictate how your money, property or possessions should be allocated. This may not be distributed in the way that you would have wished. This could mean that your estate passes to individuals you had not intended to benefit, or that a person you wanted to support received nothing. A will can also specify any wishes about the future care and guardians of your children or pets.

When should I make a will?

Any adult over the age of 18 should consider making a will. If you’re not sure where to start, using our free-will writing service (Bequeathed) is a great way to get the ball rolling.

What if I die without making a will?

If you die without a will, there are certain rules which dictate how your money, property or possessions should be allocated. These are called the rules of intestacy. This may not be distributed in the way that you would have wished.

You can access more information on intestacy and who is entitled to a share of someone’s money, property and possessions if they die without making a will through the HMRC website.

What can I leave as a gift in my will?

There are three types of gifts you can leave to us:

Pecuniary gifts are specified sums of money, often referred to as cash gifts.
Residual gifts are a percentage of total value of your estate, after the cash gifts and specific items have been distributed.
Specific gifts are things you own, such as jewellery, items of furniture or your house.

Do I need to be wealthy to leave a gift?

Not at all. After taking care of your loved ones, even leaving a small gift in a will could help to make a huge impact on our hospice. We’d appreciate a gift of any size.

Will my gift to St John’s be subject to tax?

Most charity gifts are exempt from tax, allowing us to receive the full amount. Additionally, your gift may reduce the total value of your estate below the Inheritance Tax threshold. We recommend you talk to a solicitor for more details on tax exemptions and benefits or visit the HMRC website for more information.

How do I write a will for free?

We’re pleased to offer you the option of making a free will through our partnership with Bequeathed. Learn more about starting your online will here.

Do I have to leave a gift to St John’s if I use your free will service?

You are under absolutely no obligation to leave money to St John’s in your free will. While we are truly grateful for any individuals who choose to do so, we would not expect this. The most important part of you writing a will is that your wishes are carried out and your estate is distributed however you would like it to be.

Does St John’s take part in Free Wills Month?

We participate in Free Wills Month in March and October. In March 2025, we are hosting free will events online and at our Wellbeing Centre. For more details and to sign up click the button below.

Learn more

Additionally, through our partnership with Bequeathed, we offer a free online will service available year-round. You can learn more about Bequeathed here.

Can I have a say in how my gift is spent?

Yes, you can. Whilst we particularly appreciate legacies that can be used for general hospice purposes, we are also very happy to accept gifts for particular use. That means you can have a say in how your gift is spent such as on a particular project or in a particular area of our care such as the Inpatient Unit, our new Wellbeing Centre, or our community services.

If you have a specific purpose in mind for how the hospice should use your legacy gift, it is always helpful for us to discuss this with you to ensure that your wishes can be fulfilled in the best manner possible.

Do I need to tell you if I've left a gift to St John’s in my will?

That's up to you. If you have remembered St John’s in your will, we would of course love to hear from you. Not only will this help us make plans for the future of our hospice, but it also means we can thank you properly. Any information you give us will be kept in strict confidence and you can change your mind at any time.

You can let us know if you have left us a gift by using our online form or by getting in touch with Sophie at sophie.gray@hje.org.uk or on 020 7806 4011.

Can I change my mind?

Yes, you can. A will is a very personal document that reflects your final wishes. You're free to change your mind at any time. Just contact your solicitor or will writing service to make any changes.

Help us be there for our community, now and for years to come.

A step-by-step guide to leaving a gift in your will

Suggested wording for leaving a gift in your will to St John’s

Wording for a residuary gift

Wording for a pecuniary gift (money)

Wording for specific items (e.g. jewellery, painting, other items)

Frequently asked questions

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Our free will service: Bequeathed

Our impact and reports

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