FAQs: Gifts in Wills

Writing or amending a will can seem like a daunting task. We've answered some of the most common questions we receive about wills, and about leaving a gift in your will to charity.

Is making a will expensive?

A will typically will costs around £150, but do check with your local solicitor as they may have offers at certain times of the year. Suffolk Wildlife Trust has partnered with Make A Will Online; a free, online, solicitor-led service for standard wills. There's no catch - it’s free for you as long as it’s a simple will that you need. Make a Will Online Should you wish there is the opportunity to make a donation to Suffolk Wildlife Trust at the end of the process but there is no obligation whatsoever to do this.

Is making a will complicated?

Writing or updating your will doesn’t need to be difficult or take up a lot of your time. It can take less than one hour to write a will, but being prepared is key. Remember a Charity have created an easy to follow easy-to-follow guide for getting started on your will.  

Do I need to make a will if I just want everything to go to my spouse?

Writing a will needn’t be about focusing on the end - it’s about securing peace of mind for the people you love most. Setting out your wishes avoids legal issues, family disagreements, unexpected outcomes, and increased legal costs.  

Do I have to choose between my family and a charity?

Remember that your will is about your wishes. You don’t have to make a choice between anyone: who you leave a gift to is completely up to you. Your loved ones should always come first; and once you’ve looked after your friends and family, it's entirely possible to also leave a gift to charity so that you can make a lasting difference to a cause that you believe in. Giving a gift to charity in your will may also reduce your Inheritance Tax burden.

Can I only leave a gift in my will to one charity?

You can leave as many gifts to charities as you like, and you can specify what type of gift you want to leave to each. You could leave an equal share of your remaining estate after your loved ones are taken care of. This is known as a residuary gift and also has the benefit of not being affected by inflation over time.

Will only large gifts make a difference?

No matter the size of your gift, it will make a difference. Every penny that we receive goes towards our vital work protecting and restoring nature across Suffolk and every penny really does count - you don't have to leave thousands of pounds to make an impact. Even just a percentage of your will, after you have taken care of your loved ones, is enough to make a difference.

Don’t forget that you can talk to us anytime if you’re unsure about your gift. If you’re kindly thinking about leaving something for wildlife in your will, please do get in touch: philanthropy@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Once I’ve made a will, can I change it?

It's a good idea to review your will from time to time to ensure it reflects any changes in your personal circumstances (for example if you get married, separated, have children or grandchildren, or buy your first home). Any changes to your will are called a codicil – this is a document which allows you to amend or add to your existing will and must be read in conjunction with it. If you want to make changes to your will, get in touch with your solicitor or provider. 

If you choose to write your will via our partners at Make a Will Online, you can make an amendment or amendment to your will for free during the first month, and for £10/year after that. For more information, visit Make A Will Online.

Should I wait to make a will until I'm older or retired?

Making a will is often seen as something that doesn't need to be thought of until later in life. But did you know that anyone over the age of 18 can make a will? 

Whilst it's not the most pleasant thing to think about, a will is the safest way to ensure that your loved ones are provided for, whatever your stage of life or your financial situation. You can even include provision for any children that you have by naming guardians to care for them if you were to pass away.

 Making a will can give you peace of mind that your wishes will be honoured and you can make sure your loved ones don't have to worry either.

Will inheritance tax impact me?

Inheritance Tax (IHT) doesn't apply to everyone. however if your estate is over £325,000, it's worth looking into.

Inheritance Tax is charged at 40% on estates over the IHT threshold (also known as the nil rate band), which is currently set at £325,000. This means that any part of your estate above that value may be taxed. The good news is that leaving a gift to charity in your will can help reduce, or even remove, the tax burden on your estate. Gifts in wills to registered charities are currently exempt from Inheritance Tax, so by leaving a gift to Suffolk Wildlife Trust, the full value of your gift will go straight to wildlife conservation.   

Any charitable gifts you make will be taken off the value of your estate before IHT is calculated. In addition, if you leave a charitable gift of 10% or more of the net value of your estate, your Inheritance Tax rate will be reduced from 40% to 36%. 

Please note that IHT rules can change at any time, so it's important to double check this information.

We hope this guide has been helpful, but we understand there are lots of other factors around writing a will that you may still have questions about - so please don’t hesitate to get in touch to find out more: philanthropy@suffolkwildlifetrust.org

Leaving a gift to Suffolk Wildlife Trust in your will after you’ve taken care of family and friends is an incredible gesture that will help us to protect Suffolk’s most threatened wildlife and restore local wild places for the future. If you're considering leaving a gift for wildlife in your will, or if you have already done so, thank you.