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 […]
Legacy income growing at “rapid rate”
New data from the UK’s Legacy Monitor for the last 12 months to the end of March 2022, shows that legacy income is continuing to grow at a rapid rate, rising 15% over the previous 12 months. After a drop in 2021, caused largely by continued delays in probate administration and the effects of the […]
Highest number of charities named in wills in over a decade
New Smee & Ford data shows highest number of charities named in wills in over a decade. Smee & Ford’s annual Legacy Trends Report reveals that 10,670 unique charitable organisations were named in wills in 2021, the highest number on record. As the graph below shows, usually between 9,500-10,000 charities are mentioned in wills each […]
Remember A Charity appoints Lucinda Frostick as new director
Remember A Charity has announced the appointment of Lucinda Frostick as its new director, to lead the 200-strong charity consortium in its aim to grow the legacy market and normalise gifts in Wills. Since its inception Remember A Charity has lobbied government and the legal sector, and communicated with the Will-writing public through a mix of consumer advertising, marketing, public affairs and […]
Charities Act 2022 implementation plan published
The DCMS has published its implementation plan for the Charities Act 2022 which received Royal Assent in February. Implementation is expected to take place in three phases; Autumn 2022, Spring 2023 and Autumn 2023 which could have consequences for estate planners. The implementation of changes to the Act is not a major overhaul of charity law, but will introduce […]
Podcast: IDR Law “let’s talk charity legacy”
Hannah Brittain, IDR Law’s Head of Charity Legacy Disputes sat down with Matthew Lagden, CEO of ILM to have a candid chat about all things legacy related covering everything from the basics, such as what legacies are and why they matter, who ILM are and what their members do and why, through to common issues […]
22% of wills made through legal advisers include charitable bequest
New figures released today show that solicitors and Will-writers are playing an increasingly important role in charitable Will-writing, with more than 1 in 5 Wills handled by UK legal advisers (22%) now including a donation to charity. The Savanta Will-writing survey, commissioned by Remember A Charity, reveals that 7 in 10 solicitors and Will-writers (71%) always or sometimes alert clients to the Inheritance Tax […]
Helping your clients choose a charity to support when writing a will
Charity Choice is the UK’s leading charity directory. We’re pleased to provide you with a free, digital edition of our 2022 Charity Choice directory. This year, we’ve compiled our three directories (England & Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland) together into one easy-to-use digital book, with each region listed in its own separate section. We hope […]
