Leave a legacy

We strongly recommend that you consult a solicitor so that your will reflects your wishes accurately. Your will needs to be prepared professionally because it is a legal document.

You can find a solicitor in your area through the The Law Society.

Choose your executors

You will need to choose executors (who can also be beneficiaries). You can choose just one executor, but we recommend between two and four to ensure that your wishes are carried out. Your executor can be a friend, relative or solicitor.

Work out what you own and what you owe

You will need to work out the approximate value of your ‘estate’ (everything you own, minus what you owe). It may be helpful to draw up a list of what you own and what you owe, for example:

Assets

• House
• Cash savings
• Bank/building society/savings account
• Shares
• Bonds
• Life policies
• Pension funds
• Household contents, jewellery, possessions etc

Debts

• Mortgage
• Loans
• Other debts
  

Deciding on a type of legacy

Your solicitor will be able to advise you on the type of legacy you may wish to leave to us, but here is some useful information.

Residuary legacy

This is a gift of the remainder or percentage of the remainder of your estate after all other legacies have been made and debts cleared.

Residuary legacies keep up with inflation and so they could help your gift to Terrence Higgins Trust go further.

Pecuniary legacy

This is where you leave a fixed sum of money. The value of this type of legacy will decrease over time, as the cost of living increases.

Specific legacy

This is where you name a particular item to be left as a gift in your will - for example, a piece of jewellery.

Contingent gifts

Legacies made on the basis of another event happening first are called contingent gifts. For example your will could state that a gift only applies if all other beneficiaries die before you do.

Life interest or reversionary legacy

This is a gift which someone can benefit from in their lifetime. For instance, your house could be left for the use of a relative. When they die it could pass to someone else, or to a charity.

Your solicitor will be able to advise you on the correct wording of your will, which will be specific to the type of legacy you decide to leave. If you decide to leave a legacy to Terrence Higgins Trust, it is important that you use our full name Terrence Higgins Trust, our registered charity number 288527 and our correct registered address:

Terrence Higgins Trust
314-320 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8DP

Adding to an existing will

If you would like to leave a gift to Terrence Higgins Trust in your will and you already have one written up, you can add to it using a Codicil. If you only have a few changes to make, then you can fill in a Codicil form. If you have substantial changes to make, we advise that you contact your solicitor who can redraft these into a new document.

• This form needs to be signed by two witnesses, as with your will.
• Keep the Codicil with your current will.
• Send a copy of the will and Codicil to either your solicitor, executor or whoever looks after your will.

Leaving a gift to us in your will will help us to continue providing essential services, such as:

• Counselling – we provide free counselling for people living with HIV as well as their partners and families.
• THT Direct – our helpline staffed by trained volunteers is there to provide emotional support for anyone living with HIV or concerned about their sexual health.
• HIV testing – our Fastest centres allow people to receive results in under one hour and receive counselling and support before and after the test.
• Hardship Fund – The Hardship Fund provides financial support for those who find themselves in poverty because of their HIV status.
• Health Training – helping people living with HIV to practically cope with their diagnosis and have a better understanding of their illness.

David was 29 when he was diagnosed with HIV. When he rang THT Direct he said he was finding it extremely difficult to deal with his HIV diagnosis. He felt isolated and suicidal at times. It is the stigmatisation of people living with HIV that he felt he couldn’t stand any longer.

The volunteer advisers on THT Direct listened to David and gave him the space to talk about his feelings. They were able to ensure that he had accurate information on HIV and treatment, services in his areas and crisis services if he felt suicidal.

David was given advice by the THT Direct legal team about welfare benefits and legal issues around HIV in the workplace. He was also referred to other teams at Terrence Higgins Trust for further support. In 2011, over 23,000 people were helped by THT Direct.

David was referred into the counselling service. This service provides invaluable support to individuals living with HIV who are often experiencing very difficult emotions and helps over 700 people each year and it helped David.

David was also referred to a support group where he could meet other HIV positive individuals and talk openly about anything from feelings to practical issues and having relationships.

David had this to say about the support he received from Terrence Higgins Trust:

'Thanks so much for just listening; I started to feel like a human being again. You were a true listening friend. I don’t know what I’d have done without you all. I have been having a very difficult time but am now feeling much more optimistic and in control.'

By leaving a legacy to Terrence Higgins Trust, you make it possible for us to continue providing support that really turns people’s lives around - a truly lasting gift.