It's a common myth that only the rich and famous leave money to charity when they die. This couldn't be further from the truth. The reality is without the gifts left in Wills many of the charities we know and support today wouldn't exist.
Legacies are the foundation for many of the charities in the UK and are vital in making sure that all the good work they do can continue.
Thankfully 74% of the UK population support charities and when asked, 35% of people say they'd happily leave a gift in their will once family and friends had been provided for. Interestingly only 7% actually do.
Many people believe that writing a Will is complicated, but in fact it's relatively straight forward. However, when writing or updating your will you should always seek professional advice, especially when considering leaving a charity donation. For example:
What is the value of your estate?
One of the most important things you will have to work out is the value of your estate. This means calculating the current value of everything that you own, including your property, car, all your personal possessions and your money, minus all your debts, which include any mortgages, loans, overdrafts, any credit or extended purchase agreements.
Who do you want to include?
Your Will is your chance to take care of everything that you hold close to your heart. Gifts can be anything you own and can take the form of specific items, cash amounts, or a percentage of your estate.
Of course your family and friends always come first, but if you decide to make a charity a beneficiary as well, you'll need to know their full name and registered charity number, this is something that we can assist you with.
Please contact us for any advice or guidance that you may need with making your Will.