Administrators
Those appointed to administer an estate where there is no Will or executor.
Beneficiary
An individual or organisation who will receive a gift in your Will.
Bequest
Money or an item that is left in a Will.
Codicil
A document which alters the content of a Will.
Chattels and moveables
Your possessions, including your furniture and car.
Estate
All your possessions at the time of your death, including money and property.
Executor
The person who is appointed by you to make sure the instructions in your Will are carried out.
Guardians
Guardians are the people who are appointed to look after any children under the age of 18.
Index-linked pecuniary legacy
A cash gift which can be linked to the index of retail prices, allowing amounts pledged now to keep their value in line with inflation.
Inheritance Tax (IHT)
The government sets the Inheritance Tax threshold for the year and any estate with a value over this amount is subject to tax. Reducing the estate value with a donation to charity can reduce Inheritance Tax.
Intestate and intestacy
A person is said to be intestate if he/she dies without making a Will.
Legacy
A legacy is a gift left to a person or organisation in your Will.
Pecuniary legacy
A gift of a fixed amount of money.
Power of attorney
A legal document which authorises one or more people to handle another person's financial affairs (including property, shares, money, etc), either generally or in relation to specific items.
Probate
The legal procedure by which your executor is given the authority to administer your estate.
The remainder of an estate after the deduction of tax, debts, specific gifts, legacies and the expenses of administration
Residuary gift
A gift of residue made in a Will. This is a particularly popular way to leave a gift to a charity.
Specific gift
A gift of a particular item, eg a piece of jewellery or furniture.
Testator or testatrix
The person making the Will.
Will
A Will is a legal document containing instructions for your executors on what will be done with your money and property after your death.
Witness
Someone who signs your Will in your presence, who must not be a beneficiary.
Need more help?
If you have any other queries visit our Will writing section, email legacies@rnib.org.uk or call 01733 375 228 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).