Let’s be honest: making a Will ranks right up there with watching paint dry. It sounds boring, a little bit morbid, and is incredibly easy to put off until “tomorrow.” But hold the phone! Writing your will is the ultimate power move and it’s much easier than you think.

Why bother? The perks of pledging sure, planning your estate isn’t exactly a beach holiday, but getting it done comes with some incredible benefits. Most importantly, leaving a legacy gift to a charity like the Masonic Charitable Foundation (MCF, the Freemasons’ charity) is an amazing way to be a permanent force for good. Your gift, no matter the size, assists those in need long into the future.

Oh, and here’s the absolute kicker for all you financial wizards: it can save you serious cash on taxes! Any legacy left to a registered charity is completely exempt from Inheritance Tax (IHT). Even better? If you leave at least 10 per cent of your net taxable estate to a charity, your standard IHT rate drops from 40 per cent down to 36 per cent. Take that, taxman!

How to slice the pie? How do you divide up your empire? When leaving a legacy, there are three main ways to do it:

• Residuary: This is a percentage or share of whatever is left in your estate after the boring stuff (like debts, taxes, and funeral expenses) is taken care of. This is a brilliant option because it ensures your loved ones are looked after first, and the charitable portion naturally keeps pace with inflation!
• Pecuniary: Want to keep it simple? This is a specific, set amount of cash. You can even have it index-linked so it holds its real-world value over time.
• Specific: This is where you pass down a particular item. Think along the lines of a house, a car or some jewellery.

Get it done from your sofa and cross this off your to-do list? While you can always use a local solicitor, the MCF has teamed up with The Goodwill Partnership to help you write or update a basic Will for free. You can arrange a home visit or just chat over the phone, and a SRA regulated solicitor will draft it all up for you.

Stop procrastinating! Take a moment to reflect on your assets, decide what kind of legacy suits you best, and get that Will written. Leaving a lasting impact is no joke even if the process of getting there can be!