Our free will service: MyIntent- Gifts in wills

Frequently asked questions

We're sure that you have lots of questions as you begin the process of writing a will. Below you can find some of the questions we are most frequently asked.

Why should I make a will?

Having a will is the only way to ensure that your loved ones and the causes that you care about are supported in the way that you want. A will specifies how you would like your estate (property & money) to be distributed after you die.

If you die without a will, there are certain rules which dictate how your money, property or possessions should be allocated. This may not be distributed in the way that you would have wished. This could mean that your estate passes to individuals you had not intended to benefit, or that a person you wanted to support received nothing. A will can also specify any wishes about the future care and guardians of your children or pets.

When should I make a will?

Any adult over the age of 18 should consider making a will. If you’re not sure where to start, using is a great way to get the ball rolling. Start your will online here.

What if I die without making a will?

If you die without a will, there are certain rules which dictate how your money, property or possessions should be allocated. These are called the rules of intestacy. This may not be distributed in the way that you would have wished.

You can access more information on intestacy and who is entitled to a share of someone’s money, property and possessions if they die without making a will through the HMRC website.

Do I have to leave a gift to St John’s if I use your free will service?

You are under absolutely no obligation to leave money to St John’s in your free will. While we are truly grateful for any individuals who choose to do so, we would not expect this. The most important part of you writing a will is that your wishes are carried out and your estate is distributed however you would like it to be.

What can I leave as a gift in my will?

There are three types of gifts you can leave to us:

Pecuniary gifts are specified sums of money, often referred to as cash gifts.
Residual gifts are a percentage of total value of your estate, after the cash gifts and specific items have been distributed.
Specific gifts are things you own, such as jewellery, items of furniture or your house.

Do I need to be wealthy to leave a gift?

Not at all. After taking care of your loved ones, even leaving a small gift in a will could help to make a huge impact on our hospice. We’d appreciate a gift of any size.

Will my gift to St John’s be subject to tax?

Most charity gifts are exempt from tax, allowing us to receive the full amount. Additionally, your gift may reduce the total value of your estate below the Inheritance Tax threshold. We recommend you talk to a solicitor for more details on tax exemptions and benefits or visit the HMRC website for more information.

Does St John’s host free will writing events?

Each year, we host free will writing events in partnership with MyIntent and local solicitors. For more details and to sign up to upcoming events click the button below.

Learn more

Additionally, through our partnership with MyIntent, we offer a free online will service available year-round. You can learn more about MyIntenet here.

Can I have a say in how my gift is spent?

Yes, you can. Whilst we particularly appreciate legacies that can be used for general hospice purposes, we are also very happy to accept gifts for particular use. That means you can have a say in how your gift is spent such as on a particular project or in a particular area of our care such as the Inpatient Unit, our new Wellbeing Centre, or our community services.

If you have a specific purpose in mind for how the hospice should use your legacy gift, it is always helpful for us to discuss this with you to ensure that your wishes can be fulfilled in the best manner possible.

Do I need to tell you if I've left a gift to St John’s in my will?

That's up to you. If you have remembered St John’s in your will, we would of course love to hear from you. Not only will this help us make plans for the future of our hospice, but it also means we can thank you properly. Any information you give us will be kept in strict confidence and you can change your mind at any time.

You can let us know if you have left us a gift by using our online form or by getting in touch with the team at legacies@hje.org.uk or on 020 7806 4011.

Can I change my mind?

Yes, you can. A will is a very personal document that reflects your final wishes. You're free to change your mind at any time. Just contact your solicitor or will writing service to make any changes.

Am I able to record my wishes that aren’t related to finances?

You should make sure that your wishes related to how you die and any funeral arrangements are recorded. Let your loved ones know about these wishes if you can but you can also use our free will writing service MyIntent to outline these. This service supports with much more than just writing a will. It allows you to decide how you want to live the last part of your life, tell people what should happen when you die and explain what you want your legacy to be.

Can I share my wishes related to my death and funeral arrangements?

You can. You can talk to loved ones to ensure they know your wishes. We’d also recommend that you record any choices around death and funerals in a will. MyIntent allows you to consider what you want, record all of your intentions while thinking through your wishes in more details and also talk to an expert who knows how to plan for and deal with all matters around death. You’re also welcome to contact our hospice team for further support.

What kind of wishes could I record related to death and funeral arrangements?

You could make sure that people know if you’d like to die at home or in a medical facility. If you’d want life-sustaining treatments such as resuscitation to be used on you if you were unable to communicate. You can also record instructions from things such as if you’d like to be buried or cremated, what type of coffin and even what songs should play during a service if you were to have one.

Our free will service: MyIntent

Making your free will

Steps to making a will with MyIntent

1. Register and complete the will interview

2. Receive legal advice tailored to you

3. Book a free appointment or get your free will straight away

4. Receive your will with a Letter of Advice

5. Consider leaving a gift to St John's

Frequently asked questions

Get in touch

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How to leave a gift in your will

Our impact and reports

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