How to leave a gift to The Tolkien Society

If you want to leave a gift to the Tolkien Society in your will, you can either write a new will or use a codicil.

You may wish to inform the Society of your intentions (although this is not necessary). Please get in touch with Officer without Portfolio, Lyn Wilshire, at the following email address: lyn [dot] wilshire [at] tolkiensociety [dot] org

New will

You can write a new will and make a gift of money, item or a residue of your overall estate. The wording below can be used. It is important that you access independent legal advice.

Pecuniary legacy

I leave to The Tolkien Society (a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 273809) of 3 Tithe Barn, Merton, Bicester OX25 2NF, United Kingdom the sum of £[to be completed] [amount in words] for its general purposes and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.

Specific legacy

I leave to The Tolkien Society (a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 273809) of 3 Tithe Barn, Merton, Bicester OX25 2NF, United Kingdom [description of item] absolutely for the general purposes of the said charity and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.

Residuary legacy

I leave to The Tolkien Society (a charity registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales under charity number 273809) of 3 Tithe Barn, Merton, Bicester OX25 2NF, United Kingdom [proportion of residue to be completed] for its general purposes and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other duly authorised officer shall be a sufficient discharge to my executors.

Codicil

If you do not wish to write a new will you can have a codicil, which is a document used to change a will that has already been made. It is used as a way to make simple additions or amendments to an existing will like a change in the amount of a gift of money, or the addition of an executor or gift.  You can make a codicil with a will-writing advisor or a solicitor.