Leave a gift in your will

Why make a will?

A will gives you and your loved ones the certainty that your estate will be distributed according to your wishes. It can also avoid entitlement disputes. Including a gift to a qualifying charity can also lead to tax advantages. But as everyone is different you should seek professional advice on the advantages available to you.

Is it expensive to make a will?

It costs around £150 for a simple, single will, or £250 for two mirror wills* (where a couple’s wills mirror each other in providing for the surviving partner after death).
*as of June 2023.

I want to provide for my family first.

We agree with you. We’d never want to take priority over your family and we encourage you to make sure your loved ones are provided for first, before leaving a gift to your chosen charity.

Do I need to use a solicitor?

You don’t have to use a solicitor, but as a will is a legally binding document it needs to comply with existing statutes and common law. A solicitor is trained to advise you on this and ensure compliance. Remember, if you do choose to do it yourself and your will is deemed invalid, your assets will be distributed by rules governed by UK law.

I already have a will, can I add anything to it to leave a gift to your charity?

Yes. A ‘codicil’ is a legally binding document that is used to make small changes to an existing will. Again it is best to instruct a solicitor to prepare and advise upon its contents and then (most importantly) to properly execute the document.

How long does all this take?

The whole process usually takes around 10-14 days. You’ll start by spending an hour with a solicitor, explaining your wishes. They will then send you a draft will in the post to approve. Once approved, you’ll be sent a copy of the final document to be signed with witnesses.

Do I need to tell you that I have left you a gift in my will?

There’s no obligation to tell us, but it does help us to plan for the future when supporters choose to let us know of their intentions. It also gives us an opportunity to thank you for your amazing support. We will keep you up-to-date on the big issues and how our innovative work is helping people to tackle some of the world’s toughest challenges.

What part do Practical Action play?

Every legacy we receive is a special gift and it is often the most heartfelt gift that anyone will make. We recognise and appreciate this and our supporter promise highlights the commitment we will make to you and your family.

How will you use my Legacy gift?

We promise to use your gift wisely and effectively.  Any gift left to us in a will, which is not subject to any restrictions regarding its use, will be allocated to our work around the world and will make a lasting difference, helping us put ingenious ideas to work so people in poverty can change their world.

What happens if I change my mind?

Don’t worry, if you change your mind the easiest thing to do is write a new will that revokes all previous wills. You can revoke specific sections but you’ll need to seek legal advice on your available options before you do.

What about inheritance tax?

The good news is that gifts to charity in your will do not incur inheritance tax. However, there is also an additional advantage – if you leave at least 10% of your taxable estate to charity, the inheritance tax rate on everything else is reduced from 40% to 36%, which will mean other beneficiaries could also receive more.

What types of gifts can I leave in my will and which would the charity benefit most from?

There are three different types of gift that you can choose to leave:

• a specific amount of money.
• a proportion of your net estate after family have been provided for and following the deduction of estate costs, taxes and pecuniary gifts.
• a certain item of property.

At Practical Action we welcome all gifts, and each one supports our work to to help vulnerable communities change their lives.

Can you offer any advice for executors?

If you are an executor for the estate of someone who has left a gift to Practical Action in their will, please get in touch with Liz on 01926 634484 or [email protected] who will be able to advise you on what to do next, such as how to make payment.

Where can I find out more about your work and finances?

Take a look at our Annual Report to find out more about what we have achieved in the last year.