leaving a gift in your will
thank you
Leaving a gift in your will is a great way to ensure that your legacy will continue to make a difference, long after you are gone. In the UK, there are multiple benefits to leaving Ribble Rivers Trust a gift in your will, including tax relief. However, perhaps the most important benefit is the satisfaction of knowing that you are supporting a cause that is important to you.
If you choose to leave us a charitable gift in your will, then you’ll be helping us to carry out the activities that are at the core of our organisation. This includes project research and development, wildlife surveys, volunteer and staff training, and site maintenance. So much our work simply wouldn’t be possible with support from the people who live and work in our catchment. If you love the Ribble catchment‘s waters and the Lancashire landscape then you make a difference by leaving a gift in your will.
The benefits of leaving a gift in your will
There are multiple benefits to leaving a charitable gift in your will. First and foremost, it allows you to support a cause that is important to you. Whether it is a local charity or an international organization, you can ensure that your legacy will continue to make a difference to the planet and the causes you care about. It also helps people to understand more about you as a person, and what is important to you. You can also specify what you would like the funds to contribute too. So, you could request that we spend the funds on improving fish populations, helping increase outdoor access for urban communities, connecting habitats and planting trees or educating the river guardians of the future.
The type of gift you leave is very flexible. Some people choose to donate a set sum, whilst others donate a percentage of what they leave. You can also donate items rather than money. If you have an area of riparian rights, a parcel of land, a 4×4 vehicle, or even some fishing gear that you think we could put to good use, you could donate this.
Another important benefit of leaving a gift in your will is the potential tax relief. In the UK charitable gifts in wills are usually exempt from Inheritance Tax. This means that, if you leave a charitable gift in your will, the value of the gift will be deducted from the value of your estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated. This reduces the value of your estate by the total figure donated to charities. This means that your estate will pay less tax, so more assets will go to other causes, such as family.
how to start the process
Making a will can seem daunting. However, it is the best way to make sure that your wishes are carried out when you pass away. A thought which can give your family great comfort at a difficult time. Here are our tips on how to start the process.
- Choose a charity. Decide on the charity or charities that you would like to support. You can choose a charity that is close to your heart or one that is aligned with your values. It goes without saying that leaving Ribble Rivers Trust a gift in your will would be a great choice.
- Decide on the type of gift. There are several types of charitable gifts that you can leave in your will. These include a fixed sum of money, a specific asset (such as a field or vehicle), or a percentage of your estate.
- Seek professional advice. It is important to seek professional advice when making a charitable gift in your will. This ensures that your executors respect your wishes and that they handle your estate correctly. Even if you choose not to leave a gift, we recommend speaking to a solicitor. Professional advice is really important when making sure all your affairs are in order.
- Update your will. Once you have decided on the charity and the type of gift, you will need to update your will to include the charitable gift.
If you’d like more independent advice we recommend visiting the Citizens Advice website. They have lots of guidance about making wills. Additionally they have lots of other information which can help you make an informed decision that’s right for you.
Leaving a gift in your will- seeking advice
If you would like more information on leaving Ribble Rivers Trust a gift in your will, please get in touch on 01200 444452. Alternatively you can email charlotte@ribbletrust.com. You can also visit Citizens Advice or moneyhelper.org.uk for free and impartial advice on wills.
