Legacy

Leave a gift in your Will

Legacies introduction
How to write or update your Will
Leaving a gift in your Will to The ME Association
Next Steps
More Information

Octopus Legacy - write your will for FREE today - Online, over the phone or in person

Write your Will for free and consider leaving a gift to The ME Association

Leaving a gift in your Will is one of the most powerful ways you can stand alongside people affected by ME/CFS, now and for generations to come.

ME/CFS affects hundreds of thousands across the UK. Many live with severe, life-limiting symptoms, too often facing misunderstanding, limited treatment options and a lack of research funding.

After you’ve provided for those you love, a gift in your Will becomes more than a donation. It becomes a promise: that no one faces ME/CFS alone.

Your legacy could help fund pioneering biomedical research, answer desperate calls for support, and deliver trusted medical information and advocacy. Unrestricted gifts allow us to respond where the need is greatest, ensuring your generosity has the greatest possible impact in the years ahead. We also completely understand that you may wish your gift to support a specific area of our work, and where you choose to restrict your gift, we will always honour your wishes.

Together, we can replace isolation with connection and despair with hope.

hands of several people of different ages holding in the centre with a small heart shaped token

The Future Your Legacy Will Create

Imagine a future where:

No one with ME/CFS faces their diagnosis alone, without support or understanding
Every person who picks up the phone is answered immediately
Isolation is replaced by connection
People can manage their condition with dignity and knowledge
Research brings us closer to effective treatments and a cure

This future is achievable but only if support services are there when people need them.

How to write or update your Will

You can choose to write or update your Will in several ways. We always recommend seeking professional legal advice when making or updating your Will.

Octopus Legacy

Through our partnership with Octopus Legacy, our trusted Will writing provider, you can access a free and flexible service in three different ways, with no obligation to use it or leave a gift to The ME Association. Their legal team at Octopus Legal Services (SRA No. 8007668), regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), will review your Will before it is sent to you for signing.

Online

Easy step-by-step process https://octopuslegacy.com/online-will

Start now

Phone

You can call Octopus Legacy directly on 020 4525 3605 and quote The ME Association

Call
020 4525 3605

In-person

Call 020 4525 3605 to book a home visit or an in-branch appointment with a solicitor / will writer

Book on
020 4525 3605

Please note: This offer applies to simple and mirror Wills only. An additional cost may apply for more complex Wills involving Trusts etc.

Video: Octopus Legacy – how to write your free will

National Free Wills Network

As a member of the National Free Wills Network, the ME Association gives you the opportunity to have a Will written or updated free of charge with a solicitor local to you. This is ideal if you would prefer to write your Will face to face with a legal professional.

This gives you access to hundreds of local solicitors across the nation. All you need to do is complete the enquiry form on the National Free Wills Network website at https://myfreewillsportal.org/MEAssociation

A pack will be sent directly to you containing a list of your local participating solicitors and a form. You can contact your chosen solicitor to make an appointment. Take along your completed form and get your simple Will written for free.

Law Society

If you’d rather not use our service, we recommend contacting the Law Society to find a list of solicitors near you:

In England and Wales, go to lawsociety.org.uk
In Scotland, contact the Law Society of Scotland at lawscot.org.uk
In Northern Ireland, contact the Law Society of Northern Ireland at lawsoc-ni.org

image of solicitor talking to a customer about their Will

Octopus Legacy - write your will for FREE today

A thank you from everyone at The ME Association

Many people choose to leave a gift in their will because The ME Association has supported them or someone they love. Others want to help future generations affected by ME/CFS.
Whatever your reason, we are truly grateful for your consideration.

Leaving a gift in your Will to The ME Association

You're under no obligation to include a gift to The ME Association, but if you do choose to, your support will help fund vital biomedical research and provide essential support services for people with ME/CFS for generations to come.

If you would like to leave a gift to The ME Association in your Will, your Will writer may ask for our registered details:

Registered office: 7 Apollo Office Court, Radclive Road, Gawcott, Buckingham MK18 4DF
Registered charity number: 801279 (England and Wales)

Letting us know about your gift

You don’t have to tell us if you’ve included The ME Association in your Will, but letting us know can help us:

Thank you properly (in a way that suits you)
Keep you updated on the work you’re helping to support
Helps The ME Association plan for the future

Any information you share will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality and you can change your mind at any time.

What kind of gift can I leave?

There are several ways to leave a gift in your Will. Any gift, large or small, can make a meaningful impact.

A legacy gift is a gift that someone leaves to a charity in their Will. The most common types of legacy gifts left in Wills are:

Specific gift: a particular asset, for example an investment or property.
Residuary gift: the residue (or a proportion of the residue) of an estate after all other gifts, debts and expenses have been paid.
Pecuniary gift: This is a fixed amount. This type of gift will, over time, devalue with inflation. If you want to futureproof your legacy, you can ask your solicitor about index-linking your gift so its value keeps pace with inflation.

Our promise to you

We recognise that your loved ones always come first.
We will never pressure you; this is a personal decision to be made in your own time.
We will use your gift wisely and effectively to make the greatest impact for the ME/CFS community.
Any information you share with us is confidential and your right to privacy will always be respected.

Next Steps

If you have questions or would like to let us know about a gift you have pledged, you can talk to us in confidence or simply ask a question. We'd love to hear from you and answer any questions you have.

Contact: Sarah Harper, Trusts and Legacy Manager
Email: legacies@meassociation.org.uk
Phone: 07701 223722

If you are ready to leave a Gift in your Will and would like to use our free Will writing service, please visit our Octopus Legacy portal to get started. You do not have to complete your Will in one session. You can save your progress and return to it whenever it suits you.

Alternatively, you can complete the National Free Wills Network enquiry form to request your free information pack containing information on local solicitors who participate in their scheme.

Thank you for considering leaving a gift in your Will to The ME Association. Together, we can create a better future for people with ME/CFS.

For more information see:

Leaving a Legacy: download leaflet

Can you write your will online?

Yes, you can make an online will. Writing your will, like most things in the world, has gone digital. Octopus Legacy’s online system was created by a solicitor and legal team, and saves you time and money when making your will. Additionally, for peace of mind, your online will is checked by Octopus Legacy’s expert legal team before being sent to you to sign properly, making it legally binding.

Can you write your online will without a solicitor?

As long as your will is signed in the presence of two witnesses who then sign your will too, it will be legally binding. Octopus Legacy’s team of expert writers check over each will to make sure that the information is correct and that it will stand the test of time. They also offer a will verification check to confirm it has been signed correctly. Octopus Legacy’s online will was built by a solicitor and expert legal team. It just requires you to input your own details to be completed.

I’m supposed to get a free will so why do I have to enter my card details?

You'll still need to enter your card details to finalise the transaction, even though the will is free. There won't be any charge made to your card.
Octopus Legacy do offer a £10 a year subscription service that allows you to make unlimited changes to your will for free for the first year and only £10 per year after that. You can cancel this service at any time.

They offer this because a will is a living document so most people update it every 5 years or every time they have a major life change. Traditionally this was really expensive – involving starting from scratch each time, or paying hefty fees for will amendments (codicils).
Their will subscription service allows you to easily amend your will at any point AND save money over time).

What if you need to update your will?

Most likely you will need to update your online will. Life changes and your wishes evolve over time. Which means your will needs to as well.

Online
The advantage of the Octopus Legacy online will service is that you can update it any time. This is free for the first year and only £10 per year after that, which you can opt out of at any time. Just return to your will dashboard, amend your wishes and click submit. Your will is then reviewed by their expert team to check it’s legally sound before being sent to you to resign, along with witnesses.

Over the phone/in person
You can sign up to an update subscription service for £30 a year, which allows you to book an appointment with one of our Estate Planning Consultants to talk through the changes you’d like to make. We’ll then draft a new will for you to sign and witness.

How do I cancel my subscription / How do I unsubscribe from the will update service?

To cancel your subscription, you'll need to go to your will dashboard (https://octopuslegacy.com/will/dashboard) then on the right-hand side you'll see a little question mark next to ‘Resubmit for checking'
If you hover over that question mark, there should be a prompt to “Manage my subscription” and there you'll find steps on how to cancel the subscription service.

Can I get help printing my online will?

You can print your online will at home. If you don’t have a printer, not to worry. Octopus Legacy offers a print and post service for just £9.99 for exactly that reason. You’ll be given this option once you’ve submitted your will for checking.

Can I get my LPAs (Lasting Power of Attorneys) sorted alongside my will?

Yes you can also sort your health and financial LPAs by booking an appointment with one of our Estate Planning Consultants for £699, and they will:
● Draft and finalise your LPAs (health & financial)
● Take you through the signing process
● Register them with the Office of Public Guardian (OPG) for you
● The cost covers the OPG registration fees (£92 per form)

What if my estate is complex?

There are some cases where you may want to seek legal advice. If you need a trust, or have a larger estate then you may need a complex will. If you think this might be you, then you can book an over the phone or in person appointment with an Estate Planning Consultant. They can help you find the best option for getting your will sorted.
If you do need a complex will, the simple aspect of the will is still free, however you’ll receive a no-obligation quote for the additional work needed. Prices start from:
● Single Complex Will: £350 (normally £450)
● Mirror/Joint Complex Will: £600 (normally £750)

How can I write my will directly with an Estate Planning Consultant?

Call Octopus Legacy’s wills team on 020 4525 3605 and quote The ME Association, they will ask you a few questions about your needs and will book an appointment for you to speak with an Estate Planning Consultant. This can be done either:
● Over the phone
● Via video call
● A home visit
● Or in office (this will be dependent on location and not always available)

Is my will free when I write it directly with an Estate Planning Consultant?

Yes, a simple will is still free in partnership with The ME Association when you use Octopus Legacy’s phone or face to face service. If however you have a complex estate, the will writer/solicitor will send you an non-obligated quote for the additional work and you can decide if you want to take it forward or not.

How can I store my will?

There are different options you can choose from:

● You can store your will for free within Octopus Legacy’s will storage facility:
Benefit from CCTV, fireproof & waterproof security.
Simply post your will to Octopus Legacy and they’ll verify it’s been signed correctly, store it and send you a certificate of proof

● Or, at home in a secure place

We also recommend:
● Registering your will with the National Wills Register
● Telling your executors and family where your will is so it can be found easily

Why is the will free?

We’ve partnered with Octopus Legacy to make it even easier to get your will sorted and for you to support the causes you care about. Giving a gift in your will can have a huge impact for charities like us, helping us to make a real difference. But writing your will can sometimes feel overwhelming and difficult so we wanted to make the process clear and simple for our supporters. We’ve therefore paid for the wills to be written at a reduced cost. While many people choose to include a gift in their will there is no obligation to do so if you wish to use this service.

Some common terms you make come across when writing a Will

Administrator

Those appointed to administer an estate where there is no will or executor.

Asset

Everything that you own, i.e. your house, money, car, investments and personal possessions like furniture and jewellery.

Beneficiary

Any person or organisation that receives a gift in your Will.

Bequest / Legacy

A gift made in a Will to a person or organisation.

Chattels

Any item or personal property that can be moved from place to place, i.e. furniture.

Codicil

A simple legal document which amends or makes an addition to an existing Will. It must be executed (signed officially) in the same way as your Will.

Conditional legacy

A gift in a Will which only takes effect if a specific condition is met on your death.

Deed of variation

A document that can change how an estate is divided up after the person has died.

Estate

The total sum of your possessions, property and money left at your death after debts have been paid.

Executor

A person/persons named in your Will or codicil who will administer your estate in accordance with the final directions set out in your Will. An Executor may also be a Beneficiary. You can have up to four executors, and they be a solicitor, trust company, bank, charity or a friend or family member.

Inheritance tax (IHT)

The tax paid when you die on the proportion of your estate that is over the nil-rate band threshold. This threshold varies every tax year. All gifts in your Will to charity are free of inheritance tax.

Intestate / Intestacy

The term for a person who dies without having a Will. Under the Rules of Intestacy, if you die without a Will, certain relations are entitled to apply for your estate. If you do not have any surviving blood relations, the State (Government) will apply for your estate.

Legator

Someone who leaves a gift in their Will to a person or organisation when they die.

Letters of administration

The official document issued by the court empowering an executor to deal with the estate.

Letter of wishes

A private document kept with a will that is not legally binding but explains the person’s preferences for how their executors, trustees or family should carry out the will and deal with things like personal possessions, funeral arrangements or ongoing trusts. It's guidance rather than instruction which will help executors understand your intentions without the formality of changing your will.

Liabilities

Financial obligations which need to be settled from an estate after death such as debts, including your mortgage and other money you owe.

Life interest gift / trust fund

A gift given to someone for the remainder of their life, e.g. a spouse who may continue to live in the property after the original owner has died. After the beneficiary has died, the gift is then passed onto a second beneficiary specified in the will, such as a charity. This is sometimes also called a ‘reversionary legacy'.

Memorandum of appropriation

This is when the beneficiaries of an estate use their power to pass ownership of an asset for example to a charity before a sale takes place (to mitigate Capital Gains Tax).

Mirror Wills

This is when two wills are almost identical, for example each person leaving everything to each other if one should die (or to another agreed beneficiary if they die together).

Nil rate band (NRB)

The Inheritance Tax nil rate band is the amount of your estate which can be passed on to your beneficiaries free from inheritance tax after death.

Personal representative

The person responsible for administering the estate of the person that has died.

Pecuniary

A gift of a fixed sum of money. If you choose this type of gift, it's worth considering linking it to inflation. Without this it could mean the true value of this gift could become less than you intended.

Power of Attorney

A lasting power of attorney is a legal document that enables you to appoint one or more people to make decisions on your behalf. This gives you more control over what happens to you if you have an accident or an illness and cannot make your own decisions. Powers of Attorney can relate to your ‘health and welfare’ and/or ‘property and financial affairs.

Probate

The first step in the legal process by which your Executor(s) administer your estate in accordance with your Will. A Will is proven in a court and accepted as a valid public document that is the true last testament of the deceased.

Residuary

The ‘residue' of an estate is everything left over after all debts, bills and taxes have been paid and all gifts in the will have been distributed. Leaving the residue of an estate to a named beneficiary is called a ‘residuary gift'.

Residue

The total sum of your possessions, property and money left at your death after debts and gifts of fixed sums to beneficiaries have been paid.

Restricted Gift

A ‘restricted' gift allows you to specify how or where you'd like your gift to be used.

Specific gift

A gift of a particular item, such as jewellery, an antique or shares.

Testator

This is the person who writes a will.

Trust

A legal entity that allows someone to benefit from an asset without being the legal owner.

Unrestricted gift

‘Unrestricted' gifts (i.e. that charities can use wherever the gift will make the biggest difference) are often the most valuable as they can be used where they're most urgently needed.

Will

A formal document that contains a person’s wishes regarding what happens to their estate after they’ve passed away.

Erin's Story

“I hold the ME Association’s mission close to my heart, as my mother-in-law, Kate, has suffered from ME for the last 13 years,

“Having witnessed how debilitating ME can be both physically and emotionally on those living with ME and for the family and carers, I would love to run for The ME Association to raise money to support the amazing work you do.

“I am in awe of the work that The ME Association does, both in terms of the support that you provide to those living with ME/CFS but also your commitment to fund important research work in this field. As a PhD student working in the research field of chronic illnesses, I know first-hand that pioneering research cannot be conducted without the support of charities like The ME Association.”