Thinking of the future – add a gift to The Brain Charity in your will
A will is an evolving document.
It is recommended to review your will every 5 years and to make updates if you experience significant life events such as getting married, divorced, moving house or having children.
You may also want to update your will if you would like to recognise new beneficiaries, such as leaving a gift to a charity.
If you have already written your will but would like to include a gift to The Brain Charity, you can add a codicil.
What is a codicil?
A codicil is an official alteration and is the only way to make a change to your will after it has been signed and witnessed.
It is suitable for making small and simple changes to your will, such as adding a new beneficiary or changing your executor.
How do I add a codicil to my will?
To write a codicil, you will need to include:
- Your current name, any former name and address.
- The date your original will was created and the dates any pre-existing codicils were added.
- Details of the changes you would like to make, such as adding a gift to The Brain Charity.
- Your signature and the signatures, names and occupations of your witnesses.
In the UK, a codicil must be dated, witnessed and signed by two independent witnesses.
Once completed, a codicil must be stored safely with your will – any lost codicils will not be given any effect.
You do not need to use a solicitor or professional will writer to add a codicil to your will, but it is recommended to ensure it is drafted correctly and legally.
The Brain Charity works with a panel of trusted legal partners who may be able to help you add a codicil to your will. Please note this is not a free service and charges will apply.
Get in touch by emailing legacies@thebraincharity.org.uk to see if our legal partners are the right choice to help you add a codicil to your will.
Update your will with Octopus Legacy
If you have written your will for free with our partners at Octopus Legacy, you can make updates to your will for free within the first year or for £10 per year after that as part of their subscription.
To include The Brain Charity in your already written online will, login to your account at octopuslegacy.com and make an update to your will.
Alternatively, you can call their friendly team on 020 4525 3605 and request to make an update to your will by adding a gift to The Brain Charity.
Tell us about your gift to The Brain Charity
You don’t have to tell us if you’ve chosen to leave a gift to The Brain Charity. Writing a will is a personal and sensitive experience and we respect your right to privacy.
However, if you do want to tell us about leaving a donation to The Brain Charity in your will, we would love to hear from you so we can thank you!
If you’d like to let us know about a gift in your will, please use the form below. You can also email our friendly team at legacies@thebraincharity.org.uk or give us a call on 0151 433 3484.
