Leaving a Gift in Your Will

Your will is more than just a legal document. As well as providing for your loved ones after you’re gone, it’s an opportunity to leave a tax-efficient charitable gift to a cause you care about.

By leaving money to charity in your will, your kindness and generosity can have a positive impact on generations to come. Remembering Head to Toe will allow us to achieve incredible things in your name, and will enable us to transform the lives and experiences of our patients. 

What is a Gift in your will?

There are two options for gifts in your will: 

• Residuary – this is when a charity or charities are left the remaining sum once family and loved ones have been provided for. 
• Pecuniary - this is when the deceased has pledged a specific sum of money to a charity. 

Charitable gifts can be left through a will or by a declaration to the executors of the will with instructions as to how and to which charities should benefit. 

You would need to make a will if you do not have one or add a codicil (a short amendment) to your existing will that mentions the type of gift and the name of the charities that you would like to benefit from it. 

 A suggested wording for legacies is: 

I give the sum of £……../ I leave the reside of my estate to Head to Toe (registered number 1099485), or its successors, for the benefit of the Trust generally/with the wish that it is to be used to the benefit of (for example) …….ward, ……. Service, …. Department. 

Benefits of leaving a gift in your will

Leaving a gift in your will to a charity enables you to make a planned gift to a cause you care about, whilst ensuring your loved ones are provided for.  Charitable legacies are paid before tax is deducted, reducing the amount of inheritance tax due form your estate. 

The Gov.uk website has further information on tax relief when you donate to a charity.   

Free will writing service 

We’ve partnered with FreeWills.co.uk to provide our supporters with the opportunity to make their own fully comprehensive Will for free. You can make your personalised Will online in three simple steps, from the comfort of your own home and with live support from their Will writing team of specialists. 

https://freewills.co.uk/charity/headtotoe    

It is sensible to seek independent legal advice if you are thinking of leaving a charitable gift in your will to ensure you have fulfilled the necessary legal requirements. Further information on accessing legal advice can be found on the Citizens Advice website . 

You should never be made to feel under pressure into making a decision immediately. Here at Head to Toe we understand that it can be a big decision and will give you time and space to consider it carefully. Please do get in touch if you have any questions – we’d love to hear from you.