Pictured above: Gillian Bowskill

Local Solicitors Talbots, with offices in Stourbridge, Kidderminster and Dudley, are pleased to announce that they will be supporting The Mary Stevens Hospice 'Write a Will Fortnight', encouraging residents in those areas to think about having a Will written and to remember Mary Stevens Hospice by leaving a legacy.

From the 9th - 20th of May, Talbots will invite all interested parties to come along to their offices to prepare a *simple Will for them. Talbots Solicitors will be donating 50% of their fee to Mary Stevens Hospice. Prior appointments must be made.

"Writing a Will is something that many people take seriously but keep putting it off until 'another day', whereas in fact it is extremely important and can make a huge difference to the lives of those left behind"  says Janet Jones, Fundraising Development Manager at the Hospice. In fact, only 3 out of every 10 adults in the U K have written wills.

Janet added, "What many people don't realise is that unless you make a Will,   the law decides who will receive your possessions when you die. If you are married and die intestate (without a Will), it's a common misconception that the surviving spouse inherits everything. This is not always the case and depends on the size of the estate or brothers and sisters and parents who may make a claim.

There are all sorts of other times too when you need to consider either writing or updating your Will. For example, getting married, divorced or separated, adopting a child, or as a way to help deal with inheritance tax."

Mary Stevens Hospice depends on donations and legacies to keep the Hospice open and offer high standards of care to patients with life-limiting illness. It is hoped that by organising this Will writing campaign, people may take the opportunity of leaving a legacy to the Hospice, however large or small, but there is no obligation to do so.

Janet also said, "We are very grateful to the Solicitors who are giving their time to support the Hospice and I am sure their help and advice will be most beneficial in the setting up of a new Will".

Gillian Bowskill, Head of Trusts and estates at Talbots comments further: "We have run several successful campaigns for Mary Stevens in the past, as it appears that everyone has a friend or colleague who recognizes the valuable service the Hospice provides to those in need. We hope that this will be our most successful to date."

* a simple will assumes that no detailed advice on inheritance tax, etc, is required and instructions are taken at the office. The solicitors' decision is final in this respect.