Wills and trusts

By making a will you can make sure your loved one with a learning disability will get the financial support they need when you are no longer around.

At Mencap, we understand that parents and families worry about how their loved one with a learning disability will manage their financial affairs when they are no longer around - and are often concerned that a large amount of money may put them in a vulnerable position.

Families may also be keen to ensure that their loved one with a learning disability continues to receive their means-tested state benefits, but still enjoys any family inheritance.

The wills and trusts information service includes:

• Free booklets about writing wills and setting up trusts for the benefit of someone with a learning disability.
• A directory of specialist wills and trusts solicitors across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Free 'Planning for the future' seminars around England, Wales and Northern Ireland. These free two-hour seminars offer vital, professional legal advice and give parents and carers a much-needed opportunity to ask a local solicitor any questions about wills and trusts.
• Our in-house wills and trusts solicitor Victoria Smithson advises many parents, carers and trustees about their options when considering their family members with a learning disability in wills and trusts. Victoria is able to give free advice over the phone and by email, but does not make wills or set up trusts.
• Mencap Trust Company Limited is a company that sets up and manages discretionary trusts for people with a learning disability.
• Information about leaving a gift to Mencap.

Further information 

• Wills and trusts: leaving money to someone with a learning disability
  Read Mencap's guide for an introduction to leaving money to a loved one with a learning disability. 
• Order our booklets
  For further information, you can order publications from the wills and trusts team. 
• Planning for the future: free information seminars
  Find out about the next free seminar in your area on making a suitable will or setting up a trust.
• Mencap Trust Company Limited  
  Find out more about the Mencap Trust Company in our 'services' section.

Contact us 

For more information, please contact:

The wills and trusts team
Telephone: 020 7696 6925
Email: willsandtrusts@mencap.org.uk