Now in its twelfth year, Make a Will Fortnight is a crucial appeal in Dove House Hospice’s fundraising calendar.
Emma Fawke is an Associate in the Private Capital team at Rollits. We spoke to her about how Make a Will Fortnight works and how you can get involved.
A Will is a legal document setting out what should happen to your assets after your death. In order to be valid, a Will must be executed in accordance with certain legal formalities.
“If you need a Will, Rollits will provide expert guidance and legal services to ensure that all of your wishes are accurately reflected and recorded in a Will, for when the time comes,” said Emma. “During Make a Will Fortnight, our fee (or an amount representing the fee) is donated, by the client, to Dove House Hospice, which is one of our core charities that we’ve been supporting for thirty years.”
As well as being a great way to raise funds for this local charity, Make a Will Fortnight also encourages people to think about estate management and how to safeguard their legacies.
“People underestimate the help that even the most basic estate will receive by having that written document in place,” said Emma. “A Will gives authority to a person of your choosing and allows them to manage your assets immediately. The family doesn’t have to worry about who has authority to deal with the estate or how it should be distributed, as a trusted individual is allocated the role of ensuring each asset goes to the right recipient, which could be a family member, friend, an organisation or a charity. Put simply, a Will takes away a lot of stress during a difficult time and can make life easier for your loved ones after your death.”
In stating who can carry out the wishes of the deceased, a Will makes the entire process easier by providing authority and certainty. However, it’s important to remember that life changes affect the validity of a Will, as Emma explains:
“If your circumstances or financial position change, your Will needs to be reviewed and may need to be amended or replaced. This includes getting married, getting divorced, having children, and being diagnosed with a terminal illness. We suggest you review your Will every three to five years in any event, as this gives you the peace of mind that all of your affairs are in order.
“During Make a Will Fortnight, which runs from 9-20 October 2023, Rollits will usually accept up to eight appointments. All donations raised are passed directly to Dove House Hospice. Both the charity and our law firm are deeply rooted in Hull and the surrounding area, so we’re very proud to once again support an independent organisation that makes such a difference to our local community.”
To participate in Make a Will Fortnight, simply visit www.dovehouse.org.uk/makeawill to receive your information pack. Alternatively, you can call the charity’s fundraising team on 01482 785743 or email fundraising@dovehouse.org.uk
To find out more about Rollits, please visit www.rollits.com