Help us Build a Secure Future for the Horses
To be able to continue to provide the excellent care and commitment we give to horses, ponies and donkeys we need a steady income. During these times of austerity we are immensely grateful to those of you that give so generously out of your already stretched pockets by way of donations and direct debits but have you ever thought about leaving a lasting legacy gift in your memory too?
A lifetime gift in your memory will:
• Help us save more horses, ponies and donkeys from neglect and abuse • Help us to continue to fund our work to prevent disease, illness and suffering in horses, ponies and donkeys. • Enable us to give sanctuary to many more elderly and working horses, ponies and donkeys in need of retirement and respite care. • Will help us to continue our fight for happier, healthier horses everywhere.
Legacies and Making a Will
Making a will is something so many of us plan to do at sometime but never get around to doing. Preoccupation with everyday matters of going to work, paying our bills, taking care of our loved ones naturally take priority. However, it is important we are aware of our own mortality – something many of us find unnerving or difficult to think about. Making provision for our loved ones or the charities which concern us most will provide peace of mind and assurance that our last wishes will be met long after we have gone.
Not writing a will could result in your family and beneficiaries being involved in legal disputes and incurring expenses often leading to a situation where your estate is distributed in a way you would not have wished. If you don’t make a Will it means you die “intestate”. This means the law decides upon the dispersal of your possessions, leading to all sorts of complications for your family. If you have no family of relatives and are single it is quite possible the only beneficiary will be the State.*
The only way to avoid such problems is to ensure your money and other possessions are left to those you wish to benefit, is to make a Will.
Legacy giving is a reliable and essential source of income for all charities to continue their work from which future generations will benefit. The Horse Trust hopes that you consider your favourite charity when writing your will now or sometime in the future.
Should you require any further information about legacies or wish to pledge a gift in your will please contact The Horse Trust, Home of Rest for Horses, Speen, Princes Risborough, HP27 0PP or info@horsetrust.org.uk
*The 2009/2015 inheritance tax threshold is £325,000. If the value of your estate, including your home and certain gifts made in the previous seven years, exceeds this figure, tax will be due on the balance at 40% on the amount over the nil rate band. From 6 April 2012 people who leave 10 per cent or more of their net estate to charity can choose to pay a reduced rate of inheritance tax of 36 per cent. To find out more about inheritance tax and legacies please visit http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/inheritancetax/pass-money-property/charity-reduce.htm
Types of gift if you want to a bequest to a charity there are three types of gifts: -
Residuary Legacy whereby you leave the remainder of your possessions after your executor and solicitor have fulfilled your other instructions .
Pecuniary Legacy which is a sum of money you wish to leave e.g. £10,000.
Specific Bequest with which you leave a particular item such as an antique or item of jewellery or any other valuables.
GLOSSARY OF LEGAL TERMS
Beneficiary - One who benefits from your will.
Bequest - A gift under the term of a will.
Codicil - An authorised addition or alteration to your will.
Estate - Your complete possessions left in your will.
Executor - One who is appointed by you to ensure the instructions in your will are completed.
Intestate - One who dies without making a will.
Legacy - A specified gift in your will.
Residue - What remains of your estate after those specific legacies made and after taxes and debts have been paid.
Testator - One who makes the will.
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