Leaving a Gift to Charity in Your Will
For many people, writing a will isn’t just about passing on wealth — it’s also a way to make a difference. Leaving a gift to charity is a generous act that can have a lasting impact long after you’re gone.
At Coastal Legacy, we help clients across Hampshire, Gosport, Fareham, and Portsmouth include charitable donations in their wills with clarity and care. Here’s how it works and why it matters.
Why Leave a Gift to Charity?
Leaving money or assets to charity is a meaningful way to support causes you care about. It can reflect your values, honour a loved one, or help your local community continue its work.
Many people choose to support:
- Local hospices or hospitals
- Animal rescue charities
- Environmental organisations
- National or international causes
Even a modest gift can make a huge difference to the work charities do every day.
Types of Gifts You Can Leave
When writing your will, you can leave a charitable gift in a few different ways:
1. A Fixed Sum (Pecuniary Gift)
A specific amount of money, such as £1,000 to a chosen charity.
2. A Share of Your Estate (Residuary Gift)
A percentage of what remains after other gifts, debts, and expenses have been paid.
3. A Specific Item
This might be jewellery, artwork, or another item of value.
4. A Conditional Gift
A donation that only takes effect if other circumstances apply — for example, if certain beneficiaries have already passed away.
Our professional will writers can help you word your wishes correctly so that your gift is legally binding and handled exactly as intended.
Tax Benefits of Charitable Giving
In addition to helping good causes, leaving money to charity can reduce inheritance tax on your estate.
Under current UK rules:
- Gifts to registered charities are exempt from inheritance tax.
- If you leave 10% or more of your estate to charity, the overall inheritance tax rate on the rest of your estate may be reduced from 40% to 36%.
This means your generosity could benefit both your chosen charity and your other beneficiaries.
How to Choose a Charity
If you already have a charity in mind, you’ll need its full name, address, and registered charity number. This helps your executors ensure the donation goes to the correct organisation.
If you’re unsure, you can leave a general instruction for your executors to decide — perhaps asking them to choose a charity that reflects your values or supports your local community.
Including a Charity in Your Will
When you write your will with Coastal Legacy, we’ll:
- Help you choose how to structure your gift
- Ensure your wording is legally correct
- Register your wishes clearly so there’s no confusion later
We handle all the legal details so your legacy is carried out exactly as you’d want.
A Legacy That Lasts
A charitable gift, no matter how small, is one of the most powerful ways to make your mark on the world. It can change lives, support vital causes, and bring hope to others for years to come.
By including a charity in your will, you’re leaving behind more than assets — you’re leaving a legacy of kindness.
Start Planning with Coastal Legacy
If you’d like to include a gift to charity in your will, our experienced team is here to help.
We’ll make the process simple, professional, and tailored to your values.
👉 Contact Coastal Legacy today to discuss charitable giving and will writing across Hampshire.