How to Leave a Legacy

If you are making, or have already made, your Will, you may be considering a legacy to Brunel. If you are, it is easy to draft or amend your Will to include such a legacy, although we do recommend that you consult a legal adviser.

There is no obligation to inform us if you make a change in your will in favour of the University, but we would be honoured if you would tell us so that we may thank you properly. If you do not wish to be acknowledged in this way, please accept our grateful thanks.

The following is a basic guide to amending your will:

Your legacy may take one of the following forms:

Residuary Bequest
A gift of all, a percentage or a share of your estate after allowing for expenses, pecuniary and specific bequests.
Suggested wording*: “I give to Brunel University all (or a percentage or share) of my residuary estate to be applied to the general purposes (or your preferred area) of the said University and I declare that the receipt of the Secretary and Registrar or other authorised officer for the time being of the University shall be good and sufficient discharge to my Executors.”

Pecuniary Bequest
A gift of a fixed sum of money. If you wish, you may index link the sum so that the value does not reduce because of inflation.
Suggested wording*: “I give to Brunel University the sum of (in figures and in words) £ / free from all taxes and duties, to be applied to the general purposes (or your preferred area) of the said University and I declare that the receipt of the Secretary and Registrar or other authorised officer for the time being of the University shall be good and sufficient discharge to my Executors.”

Reversionary Bequest
A gift of assets to a chosen beneficiary which takes account of the rights of a named person or persons to receive the benefit of those assets during his or her lifetime. For example, this could enable you to leave your residuary estate to an organisation such as the University, but on condition that a spouse or
friend could continue to receive the income of that estate (or continue to live in your house) until he or she died. The capital would then pass to the University on the death of that person.
* The suggested wordings above may be adapted to suit your particular needs and wishes.