Creating a new Will
If you are drafting your Will from scratch, we recommend you use a solicitor or professional Will writer. The cost is relatively modest and it can help reduce the likelihood of your wishes being challenged after you pass away.

You can inform your solicitor or professional Will writer that you would like to leave a gift to the International Taoist Society and they will help you to include it in your wishes.

Making a simple change to your Will

You can easily update your Will using a legal document called a codicil. A codicil is used to make simple amendments to your current Will without revoking it. It’s completed in the same way as your Will and should be stored with your Will for safekeeping.

Making a significant change to your Will

If you would like to make significant changes to your Will you may feel that your Will should be redrafted. This will revoke any existing Will and we recommend that you consult your solicitor or professional Will writer to ensure that your Will is drafted and executed correctly.

If you would like to include the International Taoist Society in your Will, here are examples of wording you can share with your solicitor or professional Will writer. This ensures your wishes are clear and legally binding.

It's important to review your Will regularly, especially after major life changes.

• For small updates, you can add a codicil to your existing Will.
• If you have multiple changes or already have a codicil, it’s best to rewrite your Will to avoid confusion.

If you need help, the International Taoist Society can guide you or connect you with trusted Will-writing services.

Suggested Wording for a Codicil:

I [full name] of [full address] Declare this to be a (delete from following as necessary) [first][second][third] codicil to my last Will which is dated [insert date of Will] of me [insert full name of testator] of [insert full address of testator]. In addition to any legacies given in my said Will I give The International Taoist Society of 6 Spen Road, Leeds, LS16 5AN, charity registration number 1191720
EITHER [the sum of £[insert figure ]]
OR [a [insert figure] % share of the residue of my estate]
OR [[describe items/ of property] [free of the expense of delivery]] for its general charitable purposes absolutely.

In the UK, if you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, the Inheritance Tax rate on the taxable portion of your estate can reduce from 40% to 36%.

We recommend speaking with a legal advisor or tax professional to understand how this could apply to your circumstances.

While the International Taoist Society cannot provide legal or tax advice, we encourage you to explore how legacy giving can benefit both you and the causes you care about.

You don’t have to tell us if you have included the International Taoist Society in your Will, but if you’re comfortable sharing this information, it would mean a lot to us. Knowing about your gift helps us plan for the future and gives us the opportunity to thank you personally. Anything you share will remain confidential and is not legally binding. If you’d like to let us know, please email us at claire@lishi.org or call us on 07751046828.