1. Think about the assets you would like to leave in your Will
2. Decide which family, friends or charities you’d like to support/provide for in your Will
3. Appoint one or two people as executors of your Will
4. Find a solicitor to write your Will and ensure your specific wishes will be carried out exactly as you’d like them to be
5. Once your Will is signed and witnessed, tell someone you trust where you’ve stored it

You will need the following details to include Sands in your Will:

Charity Name: Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society)

Registered Address: Sands, 10-18 Union Street, London SE1 1SZ

Registered Charity Numbers: 299679 (England & Wales), SC042789 (Scotland)

Typically, a simple Will costs between £100 and £200 for a single person or a couple. More complex Wills generally cost more.

However, we've teamed up with Octopus Legacy to make writing or updating your Will straightforward and FREE.

Yes! If you've got people or pets depending on you, you'll likely want to make sure they're care for if the unexpected happens. And you'll perhaps want to leave some assets such as valuables, savings or property to selected family, friends or charities. A Will makes sure those wishes are carried out.

Without a Will, you have no control over the welfare of dependents or who inherits your assets.

For most people, making a Will is a straightforward process. However, there are some things to think about.

Inheritance tax

Most charitable gifts in Wills are exempt from inheritance tax. Inheritance tax is only chargeable on the portion of your estate above the tax threshold. Including a gift to charity equal to just 10% of the value of your estate could mean you pay less tax.

To find our more, visit HMRC or ask your solicitor.

Special conditions

Special conditions in your Will enable your solicitor to navigate unexpected scenarios at the time of your death. These include intended beneficiaries passing away before you or a spouse inheriting everything you own when you want to give a gift to charity.

This is a good place to include your funeral preferences too.

While it's helpful to consider any special conditions, your solicitor will guide you through decisions.

Your executor(s)

Your executor is someone you can trust to make sure your wishes are carried out. This can be a friend, family member, or a professional, such as a solicitor. 

You may give your assets, such as valuables, savings and your property to anyone you choose - family, friends and/or charities.  

Certain groups of people can contest your Will, such as estranged family members, so if you have any concerns talk to your solicitor. They can advise on measures you can take to ensure your wishes are followed. It often comes down to specific wording within your Will, and case notes retained by your solicitor. 

You don't have to work with a solicitor. You can buy a DIY Will Kit, but much like DIY around the house, it's usually simpler and safer to consult a professional.

Using a solicitor to make your Will means you'll receive advice tailored to your particular circumstances giving you peace of mind you're making informed decisions. It will also make it more difficult for someone to contest your Will after you die.

We recommend working with a solicitor and you can find one local to you through our solicitor search below: 

Solicitors in England or Wales 

Solicitors in Scotland 

Solicitors in Northern Ireland 

If you already have a Will then you can add a codicil. A codicil is a document that should be kept with, but not attached to, your existing Will. But in most cases, it makes sense to write a new Will. 

We advise consulting a solicitor to find out which is best for you.  

Yes, you can dedicate any gift left to Sands in memory of a baby or other loved one. In fact, some of our supporters tell us dedicating a gift in memory of their son, daughter or grandchild gives them great comfort. Creating such a lasting legacy is a meaningful way of honouring their memory. 

If you choose to leave your legacy gift in memory, please tell us so we can recognise your loved one and everything you'll make possible with that gift.

Gifts in Wills play a vital role in making sure the Sands community is there to care for all bereaved and grieving parents and families following the death of their baby. Your extraordinary gifts will also help us continue our cruical work improving maternity safety and saving babies’ lives.

Your gift will support vital research, help us campaign for change to improve maternity care and work to reduce inequalities to give every family the same level of care regardless of their background. And when families don't get the chance to see their babies grow up, your gift will help make sure Sands is there with hope, comfort and understanding.  

You can read more about how your gift will make a lasting difference in our gifts in Wills guide.

You can search for a solicitor near you by following one of the links below:

Solicitors in England or Wales

Solicitors in Scotland

Solicitors in Northern Ireland

Of course! We understand it can feel a bit overwhelming if you've not really thought about it before, but we're here to help.  You can get in touch with Cherie Hope, Legacy Manager, by email legacies@sands.org.uk or phone 020 3908 5524 Monday to Thursday.