Solicitors Take Action for Lewis-Manning’s Make a Will Week

FURTHER DETAILS...

A group of local Solicitors' firms have teamed together to help people plan for the future and raise money for a local charity by taking part in Lewis-Manning Hospice's "Make a Will Week", which runs from 6 -10 June 2011.

The campaign aims to raise vital funds for the hospice as well increase awareness about the importance of gifts in Wills to their organisation.

All of the firms taking part are offering to write a standard Will for free on the basis that the client will make a donation to the hospice. The suggested donation amounts are £75 for a single Will and £110 for a joint Will. For more complicated Wills or that require specialist advice, a fee will be agreed in advance.

People can make an appointment to see any participating Solicitor in advance of the Make a Will Week but the actual Will-making week will take place between 6 - 10 June 2011.

Robert Fielding, Solicitor and Partner at QualitySolicitors D'Angibau in Canford Cliffs is one of the many Solicitors donating his time to raise funds for the hospice. Robert said: "Making a will is often the only way to make sure your property and possessions will go where you wish after your death. If you die without leaving a will, your assets will not necessarily all pass to your spouse or the people you want. The law dictates how much will go to each of your family members, and depending on your circumstances you may find that assets pass to people who you would not otherwise have thought should benefit. If you have no family, everything could even go to the government.

"If you have married, separated, divorced or remarried since you made your last will, then it really is essential you make a new will. A marriage would usually revoke your previous Will automatically, so that the Will you think you have is actually null and void.

"Statistics show that only around one third of people in this country make Wills; this is a worrying statistic as it shows that the majority of people have no control over where their assets go after they die."

Lewis-Manning Hospice provides free specialist palliative care to over 650 people each year. Stephanie Thorne, Legacy Officer at Lewis-Manning Hospice said: "By making your will through our Make a Will Week campaign, not only will you get peace of mind knowing your loved ones are taken care of but you will also help raise much needed funds for local people living with cancer and other life threatening illnesses."

Lewis-Manning is greatly reliant upon the generosity of the communities it serves. Last year legacies made up over 40% of the hospice's total income.

For more information about ?Will Week?, or for a full list of participating solicitors, please visit the hospice website: www.lewis-manning.co.uk or call Sally Goodenough on 01202 701000 or 07927 941142.