The gift of a lifetime: myths around gifts in Wills explained

The reasons for choosing to leave a gift in our Will are highly individual. Maybe it’s to remember the life of a loved one we held dear. Perhaps it’s to help a charity that was there for us through a difficult time. Or instead, it could be to express our values and help us to build the world we wish to see.

However, many people feel unsure about how to leave a charitable gift, the impact it will have, or how it will affect their loved ones. 

This type of generous gift-giving raises a remarkable £4 billion for UK charities each year — over 100 people in the UK write a gift to charity into their Will each day. Although there’s no doubt that our personal legacies have incredible impact way after the close of our own final chapter, there are myths surrounding these long-lasting gifts. 

Below, we clear up some common concerns — leaving a charitable gift in your Will may be simpler and more accessible than you might think. 

I can’t leave a gift in my Will because… 

Only people with lots of money leave gifts to charity 

You can decide how much to leave to a charity when giving a gift in your Will — there’s no minimum amount. Gifts can be left as a specific amount of money, known as a pecuniary gift, or as a percentage of your estate (everything you own) after you die, known as a residuary gift. You can also give a specific gift, such as an object, asset or property. Every gift has impact and how you give your gift is entirely your choice. 

My loved ones will miss out if I give to charity in my Will 

Once you’ve taken care of family and friends, even giving a small percentage of your estate will support your chosen charity’s future. You have total control over who will benefit from your Will and how much they will receive. Depending on your gift, you may even reduce inheritance tax owed on the rest of your estate. 

My gift won’t make a difference to my chosen charity 

In the UK, around £3 in every £10 donated to charity is from gifts in Wills. So, this act of generosity is hugely valuable to charities — some charities simply wouldn’t be here without it. For example, over half of all our hearing dog puppies are trained thanks to these amazing gifts. 

I can only leave a gift to big charities 

You can choose to leave a gift to any charitable organisation, regardless of their size. Over 10,000 charities are named in Wills every year in the UK. You can even choose to leave gifts to several charities in your Will, if you wish. 

Will-writing is expensive and complicated 

Will-writing doesn’t have to be complex or costly; there are many ways you can do it. However, it’s important to seek advice based on your individual circumstances. Speaking to a solicitor or professional Will-writer can often cost less than you may expect. You can also use our charity’s free online Will-writing service in partnership with Farewill, by visiting hearingdogs.org.uk/freewill. 

I want to leave a gift…where do I begin? 

One in five charity supporters over the age of 40 have already chosen to leave a gift in their Will. However, remembering a charity in this way is an incredibly personal decision. 

If you’re new to Will-writing and would like to leave a gift to Hearing Dogs, thank you. You can use our free Will-writing service at hearingdogs.org.uk/freewill or contact Zoe Cox by phoning 01844 348130 or emailing legacies@hearingdogs.org.uk.  

If you’ve already written your Will and want to now leave a gift to Hearing Dogs, please also contact Zoe on the details above. You can update your existing Will with your solicitor or complete a supporting document (called a codicil) and store it with your Will. 

Remember, you can leave a gift in your Will to one or multiple registered charities. As it’s your kind gift, who you give to, and how much you give, is entirely up to you.

If you’ve chosen to leave a gift to Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, we can’t thank you enough.