Fewer give to charity and engagement falls amongst younger generations
Legacy gifting remains resilient but the number of people who give to charity is falling, particularly amongst the younger generation, according to the latest legacy giving report from Legacy Futures and Smee & Ford. The drop amongst younger people could pose a risk to future charity income, the report warns. The Legacy Giving Report 2026, […]
Foundation launches to tackle ‘overlooked’ funding gaps in private client services
A newly-launched foundation says it aims to tackle the gap in funding for private client services through grants for disabled individuals, people with complex needs, and the families who care for them. Loving Legacies Foundation is a community interest company launched with a mission to “close one of the most overlooked gaps in the UK’s […]
Probate delays forcing charities to ‘sell vital assets and reduce services’ – Claim
Charities say they have sold ‘vital assets’ in an effort to fill the financial gap left by delays in processing probate with an average of 14% of annual income is currently being held up by probate issues; the same percentage as in a similar study last year. In a poll of 100 UK charity board […]
Lack of Wills take up should see alarm bells ringing ahead of national awareness campaign
A new survey ahead of Will Aid month in November has revealed 56% have never written a Will, while one in 10 admit theirs no longer reflects their wishes. 2,000 people across the UK were surveyed for the research which further identified over one in three (34%) indicating they are unlikely to write or update […]
Half of high net worth individuals include a charitable gift in their will
Half of high net worth (HNW) individuals have included a gift in their will with Charitable Will Trusts and Donor Advised Funds used by one in three millionaires according to recent research. A survey of 500 people with over £1m in investable assets reveals a ‘prevalence of charitable gifts’ and highlights the opportunity for further […]
Will Aid returns for 37th year of fundraising during November
Will Aid 2025 is formally launching with solicitors encouraged to take part in this years’ campaign. In its 37th years the initiative has announced two new charity partners with charities Shelter and Crisis set to benefit from this year’s campaign. Will Aid month will return in November aiming to add to the £24 million in donations […]
Gearing up for Remember A Charity Week 2025
Remember A Charity is gearing up for its legacy giving awareness campaign, Remember A Charity Week which this year will be hosted between 8th and 14th September 2025, celebrating the impact of charitable gifts in wills across the UK. The week champions the inclusion of legacies in wills, encouraging the legal sector, professional advisers, trade […]
Inheritance tax changes and reform of the Wills Act: What will they mean for charities?
Professionals in the charity legacy sector are preparing for significant legislative developments in two key areas. First, the Autumn 2024 Budget has introduced major changes to inheritance tax (IHT), including the treatment of pensions. Second, the Law Commission’s May 2025 report has set out proposals for modernising the Wills Act 1837. Both of these changes […]
IHT changes to drive growth in demand as 6 in 10 report rise in requests for estate and tax planning advice
Inheritance tax (IHT) changes are driving demand for tax and estate planning advice as six in ten professional advisors report an increase in demand for their services. Nine in ten professionals believe estate and tax planning will become even more important following IHT changes, and 65% said they believe charitable tax incentives will become even […]
Charitable estates make up 16% of all estates at probate
The number of estates leaving legacies has risen by 22% year on year, contributing to a 9% overall growth in the legacy market which is now valued at £4.5bn according to the first Legacy Giving Report. Published through a partnership between Smee & Ford and Legacy Futures, the inaugural report provide ‘the most comprehensive legacy data […]
It will ‘take time’ for charities to understand the full impact of Law Commission report
It will ‘take time’ for the charity sector to fully understand the full implications of the proposed Wills Act submitted to the government for consideration following the publication of the Law Commission’s Modernising Wills Law report. Published last week, the report makes 30 recommendations on updating legislation governing the writing of wills in an attempt […]
Maximising the potential of Remember A Charity Week
Recent figures reveal that two thirds of UK adults don’t currently have a Will in place – and there are several reasons for this, from procrastination to not wanting to confront one’s own mortality. Could Remember A Charity Week, and the opportunity to engage with clients through conversations about gifts in Wills, present the ideal solution? […]
“We’re listening” say legacy managers
The Institute of Legacy Management (ILM), a membership and training body for those working in legacy teams across the charity sector, says it is ‘reassured’ by the response to a recent sentiment survey of probate practitioners, and reaffirmed its commitment to using feedback to shape future guidance for members. A readership survey conducted in conjunction […]
How can charitable gifts make an estate work harder for all beneficiaries?
Raising £4 billion annually*, charitable gifts in Wills are crucial to sustaining a wide range of good causes and services – from hospices and homeless shelters to mental health helplines, emergency rescues, and more. In a challenging economic environment, and as these essential services face an ever-increasing demand, this income has never been more valued […]
Firm celebrates £500k support for cancer research
A York-based law firm is celebrating 2 milestones in its effort to raise money for Cancer Research UK. RG Law has hit 7 years service with over £500,000 of legacy gifts for the cancer charity. RG Law have been participating in Cancer Research UK’s Free Wills Service since 2016, which enables people to write their […]
Only 46% of over 40’s have a Will
Only 46% of over 40’s have a Will according to research conducted by Remember a Charity, released in conjunction with Remember a Charity week which concludes on Sunday 17th September. The poll showed that around 60% of UK adults have not yet written their Will; a statistic which remains largely unchanged in recent years. As […]
Changing attitudes to charity fuels increase in legacies
Consumer research conducted by Remember a Charity has revealed a steady rise in the number of people choosing to leave a legacy in their Will. 20% of UK charity supporters aged 40+ say they have left a legacy in their Will, compared to 14% 10 years ago; an increase of 43%. Other findings include One in […]
How the Charities Act 2022 will reduce red tape for the legacy sector
This Spring and Autumn will see the implementation of two parts of the Charities Act 2022, both of which will be pertinent to solicitors and legacy professionals involved in trusts and wills within the charity sector. Peter Jeffreys, a Partner at Wilsons Solicitors LLP (a corporate partner of the Institute of Legacy Management) explains the […]
ShareGift: solving the problem of small shareholdings within estates
Small shareholdings within estates can be tricky and time-consuming to resolve. Whilst larger holdings may be readily sold for the benefit of the estate, the value in small shareholdings can be far outweighed by the costs involved in lodging legal paperwork with the registrars and subsequent stockbroking commission. Many estates will still hold physical share […]
Farewill raises £600m through legacy giving since 2015
Farewill has announced that they have raised over £600m in pledged legacy gifts to charitable causes since 2015. The Haggerston-based start up is redefining legacy fundraising through innovative technology, sector-leading insight platforms and a first-class partner and supporter experience. Dan Garrett, CEO and co-founder of Farewill, explains: “As the UK’s largest will writer, we have […]