Gift in your Will FAQ's
Questions and answers about including Breast Cancer Campaign in your Will
How many people actually leave a gift to charity in their Will?
What information should I include to make a gift to Breast Cancer Campaign in my Will?
When should I update my Will?
What is the threshold and rate for inheritance tax?
I'm not rich, how can a gift in my Will be useful to Breast Cancer Campaign?
Can I request that a gift in my Will is used for a specific project?
I have already included Breast Cancer Campaign in my Will, what should I do?
Is it really worth seeking advice from a solicitor just for a gift in my Will?
My family know I support Breast Cancer Campaign - can't they just make a donation on my behalf?
Can Breast Cancer Campaign recommend a solicitor to help me write my Will?
Can I give in memory of a loved one?
I've already made my Will - do I have to re-write it?
How many people actually leave a gift to charity in their Will?
The percentage of Wills including at least one gift to charity has risen to 15 per cent. It was as low as 10 per cent in 2002.
What information should I include to make a gift to Breast Cancer Campaign in my Will?
The most important information to include is the amount you want to donate, the registered charity number and the charity's name and address. We suggest using a statement like 'I give ____ per cent of the residue of my estate (or the sum of ____ ) to Breast Cancer Campaign, Clifton Centre, 110 Clifton Street, London EC2A 4HT, registered charity number 299758, to be used for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the charity or duly authorised officer shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.'
When should I update my Will?
Ideally, whenever your personal circumstances change. For example, when new grandchildren arrive, when you retire or when you move house are all good times to ensure your Will suits your lifestyle. Marriage or the entry into a civil partnership will automatically cancel any previous Will.
What is the threshold and rate for inheritance tax?
If your total estate is worth more than £275,000. Anything over that amount is generally taxed at 40 per cent unless it passes to charity or a spouse or civil partner. So, for an estate worth £285,000 your inheritance tax will be 40 per cent of £10,000 (i.e. £4,000). Remember to include the value of any property, stocks and shares and savings when you calculate the value of your estate.
I'm not rich, how can a gift in my Will be useful to Breast Cancer Campaign?
Your estate could be worth more than you think - especially if you own property or other assets or if you have life insurance. Smaller gifts are valuable to the Charity and are always appreciated.
Can I request that a gift in my Will is used for a specific project?
Breast Cancer Campaign can't be sure exactly what projects will be funded in the future so it's better to state 'Breast Cancer Campaign's general charitable purposes' in your Will. If you mention a specific project in your Will and that project comes to an end, the Charity may not legally be entitled to receive your gift at all. One way round this is to state your preference in a Letter of Wishes. Your gift will still be received by the Charity even if that specific project has finished because your Will would still state that the gift is for general purposes.
I have already included Breast Cancer Campaign in my Will, what should I do?
First of all, thank you. A gift in your Will is valuable because it will help to fund important breast cancer research in the future. You have done a very personal thing and there is no need to notify us, but if you do, we can update you on our progress and on specific areas of our work that are of interest to you. Call Campaign on 020 7749 3713 or email legacies@breastcancercampaign.org to let us know about the gift in your Will.
Is it really worth seeking advice from a solicitor just for a gift in my Will?
The most important reason for making a Will is to ensure your wishes are carried out correctly. By going to a solicitor, you can be satisfied that your Will is legal and correct. Making a Will is almost certainly cheaper than the legal costs of sorting out your estate if you don't. If you would like a list of specialist Will-writing solicitors near to where you live or work, contact us on the telephone number or email address above.
My family know I support Breast Cancer Campaign - can't they just make a donation on my behalf?
It is more tax-efficient to make a gift in your Will because such gifts are exempt from inheritance tax. If your estate passes to a family member who then donates to Breast Cancer Campaign, you could end up paying up to 40 per cent of the value of your intended gift in inheritance tax.
Can Breast Cancer Campaign recommend a solicitor to help me write my Will?
Unfortunately not. The main reason for this is that anyone seeking to make a Will should obtain independent advice. However, we can provide you with a list of solicitors in your area - call us on 020 7749 3713, email legacies@breastcancercampaign.org or search online. England and Wales: www.lawsociety.org.uk/choosingandusing/findasolicitor.law, Scotland: www.lawscot.org.uk/find.
Can I give in memory of a loved one?
Yes, you can. It is a fitting tribute to a loved one to include a gift in your Will for Breast Cancer Campaign. If you have already set up a Pink Ribbon Tribute Fund in the name of your loved one your gift can be attributed to that, but please use the following wording in your Will to ensure that we are legally entitled to receive your gift.
'I give the sum of £X free of tax to Breast Cancer Campaign (Registered Charity No. 299758) ("the Charity") and I request the Charity (but without imposing any binding trust or legal obligation) to add this legacy to the Josephine Bloggs Ribbon Tribute Fund but if prior to the payment of this legacy (and whether during my lifetime or after my death) the said fund has ceased to exist I request the Charity to use this legacy for its general purposes.'
I've already made my Will - do I have to re-write it?
Probably not. You can usually add a gift to an existing Will simply by using a codicil form. To request one, call us on 020 7749 3713 or email legacies@breastcancercampaign.org
