Different types of legacy

There are two main types of legacy: pecuniary (or specific) and residuary.

Pecuniary or Specific Legacy

This means a specified amount of money or a specific item. (Rises in inflation affect the value of a pecuniary legacy over time, for example, a legacy of £1,000 written into a Will in 1980 would now be worth only £380).

The following wording will be helpful to your solicitor if you wish to support Deafness Research UK:

"I bequeath to Deafness Research UK (the Hearing Research Trust) of 330/332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, Registered Charity No. 326915, ... (see Note 1) for the general purposes of the charity; and I declare that the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer for the time being, or other proper Officer of the charity shall be a good discharge for the same."

Note 1: Insert here "the sum of £... (repeat in words)" or describe fully the items (s) or property bequeathed. In the case of property, please include the full address.

Residuary Legacy

The residue of your estate is all that is left of your estate once all legacies have been paid out and any debts have been settled. After remembering relatives and friends with any specific gifts, you may want to a leave the entire estate, or a share of it, to charity.

The following wording will be helpful to your solicitor if you wish to support Deafness Research UK:

"I bequeath to Deafness Research UK (the Hearing Research Trust) of 330/332 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8EE, Registered Charity No. 326915, all or a ... (see Note 2) share of the residue of my estate; and I declare that the receipt of the Honorary Treasurer for the time being, or other proper Officer of the charity shall be a good discharge for the same."

Note 2: Insert here the proportion, percentage or fraction desired.