Making a Will - need ideas

I ve just made my will and that was a business, it was an incredible simple will but the solicitor kept making different suggestions, anyway I stuck to my guns and it’s done and dusted
I m not sure of your area but here we have some wonderful people who have set up wildlife sanctuaries and are always in need of help for running / food/ heating/ vet costs There is also a local hedgehog sanctuary and a bird one set up by one lady and her husband she does an enormous amount of work picking up and looking after poorly birds and giving them a chance
I would not give to the main animal charities I ve been very very unimpressed with RSPCA

Why not give them the money now when you can personally find out how their funds are spent?

Can you possibly make a small donation to a human hospice somewhere local? I believe they are really struggling.

Without a knowledge of how each charity is managed it would be impossible to know how a legacy would be spent. You would need to talk to the trustees about whether they are prepared to ring-fence certain donations for specific tasks.

Look at the governing document and accounts for each to see how they account for their income. Smaller charities may only have simple accounts where all income goes into one pot usually called "unrestricted" funds.

All registered charities must complete and file an annual return with the Charity Commission so that’s a good place to start.

Here’s a list of UK animal charities:

www.nationalpetregister.org/dir/animal-aid-charities

The very first one listed is Four Paws Cat Rescue. If you go to the Charity Commission website you will be able to see the accounts:

register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/en/charity-search/-/charity-details/5012442/accounts-and-annual-returns

You'll see that the vast majority of their income is spent on vet fees and animal supplies.

( I am not advocating for this particular charity - it's simply the first one on the list.)

Do bear in mind that all charities, large and small, still need funds to pay for indirect costs: rent, heating and lighting, equipment, admin costs. Without those things, the core work could not be done.

Don’t be deterred by “bad stories”. Find out from the organisation itself.

And please leave a designated sum. If you put in 1% of my estate , for example , your executors may be " chased"for the money whilst obtaining probate which could be stressful for them.

Well done for sticking to your guns - solicitors can be very persuasive.

These are exactly the type of charities I'm looking for.

Thank you so much for the advice and addresses FlitterMouse. I will certainly do as you suggest.
I worked for a big charity once and was horrified when I saw how much the chief executives and directors were paid. Large portion of the money also went on overseas jollies and office furniture. Money can sometimes corrupt the best of people.

Chocolatelovinggran

And please leave a designated sum. If you put in 1% of my estate , for example , your executors may be " chased"for the money whilst obtaining probate which could be stressful for them.

I read a post about this happening yesterday. I will add a clause saying that all enquiries must be addressed through the solicitor only.

Thank you.

Whatever you do specify an amount, not a percentage.
I've seen this advice many times because charities who are bequeathed a percentage employ someone who will contest everything to maximise their share.

Absolutely agree with redridinghood at a time when it is difficult emotionally loved ones trying to sort everything during time of great emotion are left having to answer charities checks that every penny is being paid out to them when it is a percentage and not a set amount.

Lollin

Absolutely agree with redridinghood at a time when it is difficult emotionally loved ones trying to sort everything during time of great emotion are left having to answer charities checks that every penny is being paid out to them when it is a percentage and not a set amount.

Thank you so much the replies.

I will make sure I put a set amount in my Will.