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Regular giving funds everyday activities and the normal running of the parish. A gift in you Will is different. We would never use legacy gifts for everyday expenditure - and that's a promise!
We would spend your gift on a lasting project, or use it for a special purpose. For example, a gift in your Will could fund the church’s ministry to young people, contribute towards our Restoration and Renewal Programme, or improve the quality of worship. You can bequeath to All Saints' a percentage of your estate (Residual legacy), a fixed sum of money (Pecuniary legacy), or real property, land, and objects (Bequest). When making or revising your Will, you are strongly advised to consult a solicitor. Please see the example wording Will Clauses below. To leave a share of your estate “I give _____ % of my residuary estate free of all taxes to the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of All Saints’ Houghton Regis in the Diocese of St Albans for its general purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an officer of the Parochial Church Council shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors and trustees.” To leave a fixed sum of money “I give the sum of £ _______ (pounds only) free of all taxes to the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of All Saints’ Houghton Regis in the Diocese of St Albans for its general purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an officer of the Parochial Church Council shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors and trustees.” |
A gift in your Will can make a very significant impact on our ministry, and help us preserve the Christian heritage of Houghton Regis. 
If the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has —not according to what one does not have. |
Frequently Asked Questions about Legacies
What is a legacy in a will?
Leaving a legacy to charity can take a number of different forms:
- Residual legacy: This is how you leave a percentage of your remaining estate to charity after all other commitments have been made.
- Pecuniary legacy: This is the gift of a specific amount from your estate.
- Specific legacy or bequest: This is the same as a pecuniary legacy or the gift of real property, assets, land, and objects.
What impact will my legacy gift have?
A gift in your will would be very important to us and it would make a lasting difference to our ministry.
In recent years legacies have allowed us to restore parts of the Parish Church, provide new vestments and altar hangings for Mass, helped us plan for a new sound system, and allowed us to offer free pilgrimages to Walsingham to some of our youths.
These are only examples of things we could achieve with a gift in your Will.
In recent years legacies have allowed us to restore parts of the Parish Church, provide new vestments and altar hangings for Mass, helped us plan for a new sound system, and allowed us to offer free pilgrimages to Walsingham to some of our youths.
These are only examples of things we could achieve with a gift in your Will.
Are there any tax benefits?
Leaving money to charity in your will is extremely tax efficient: all charitable gifts are exempt from inheritance tax.
If your estate is valued above the current inheritance tax threshold it is possible that you may be entitled to a reduced tax rate as the result of a charitable donation. It is important to check what this threshold is at the time of writing your Will. For more information visit the HMRC website.
If your estate is valued above the current inheritance tax threshold it is possible that you may be entitled to a reduced tax rate as the result of a charitable donation. It is important to check what this threshold is at the time of writing your Will. For more information visit the HMRC website.
Why should I write a Will?
Making a Will – and updating it regularly – is the only way to make sure your wishes are carried out after your death, giving you peace of mind that you can continue to support the family, friends and causes you love.
If you don’t make a valid Will, your loved ones could face significant stress and expense after your death, and you risk your estate going to the state.
Writing a Will is part of being good stewards of what we have been given from God.
If you don’t make a valid Will, your loved ones could face significant stress and expense after your death, and you risk your estate going to the state.
Writing a Will is part of being good stewards of what we have been given from God.
Can I write my own Will?
Although it is possible to write your own Will, we advise you see a solicitor when writing or amending your Will to ensure that your wishes are made legally binding.
How do I find a solicitor?
If you do not have a solicitor, ask local family or friends for recommendations or use the Law Society’s database.
How much will it cost?
Many people worry about the expense of writing a Will, but it’s a good investment in your family’s future. Costs usually start from around £100 plus VAT for a simple Will. Comparative costs can be obtained easily by phoning a few solicitors in the area.
What if I have already written a Will?
It is important to keep your Will updated to reflect any major changes in your life such as marriage, bereavement, divorce or the birth of a child or grandchild. It is good practice to review your Will every five years.
If you would like to add All Saints’ Houghton Regis to your Will it is possible to do so by making an official alteration known as a codicil. This is very simple, and it will ensure that any changes are legally binding. To adapt an existing Will, complete the codicil in the presence of two witnesses and show it to your solicitor. The witnesses must not stand to benefit in any way from your Will.
Examples of codicil
To leave a share of your estate
“I give _____ % of my residuary estate free of all taxes to the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of All Saints’ Houghton Regis in the Diocese of St Albans for its general purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an officer of the Parochial Church Council shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors and trustees.”
To leave a fixed sum of money
“I give the sum of £ _______ (pounds only) free of all taxes to the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of All Saints’ Houghton Regis in the Diocese of St Albans for its general purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an officer of the Parochial Church Council shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors and trustees.”
If you would like to add All Saints’ Houghton Regis to your Will it is possible to do so by making an official alteration known as a codicil. This is very simple, and it will ensure that any changes are legally binding. To adapt an existing Will, complete the codicil in the presence of two witnesses and show it to your solicitor. The witnesses must not stand to benefit in any way from your Will.
Examples of codicil
To leave a share of your estate
“I give _____ % of my residuary estate free of all taxes to the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of All Saints’ Houghton Regis in the Diocese of St Albans for its general purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an officer of the Parochial Church Council shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors and trustees.”
To leave a fixed sum of money
“I give the sum of £ _______ (pounds only) free of all taxes to the Parochial Church Council of the Parish of All Saints’ Houghton Regis in the Diocese of St Albans for its general purposes, and I declare that the receipt of an officer of the Parochial Church Council shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors and trustees.”
Can I leave a gift in my Will to fund a specific project?
You can, and we would be glad to discuss some options with you. However, we would recommend that you leave your gift for ‘general purposes’.
Specific projects we are running now may not still be the most urgent areas of need when we receive your gift. Leaving a gift for general purposes allows us to use the money where the need is greatest at that time.
Specific projects we are running now may not still be the most urgent areas of need when we receive your gift. Leaving a gift for general purposes allows us to use the money where the need is greatest at that time.
Can I encourage people to give to All Saints' instead of giving flowers at my funeral?
Yes! This is another great way of supporting All Saints' and other charities you care about.
Millions are raised each year in the UK for charities in this way.
If you like this sound of this, you can ask your loved ones and you solicitor to include this in your Will.
Millions are raised each year in the UK for charities in this way.
If you like this sound of this, you can ask your loved ones and you solicitor to include this in your Will.
