Thinking about leaving your estate to charity? Here is what you need to know

11 June 2026

Simon Cowell is well known for his pledge to leave £20 million to various canine charities in the event of his death after a life-threatening bike crash in 2022.

Whether you have undergone a similar ordeal, you might be similarly inclined to support your favourite cause one final time by generously leaving a positive legacy.

Leaving money to a charity in your Will also has excellent advantages from an Inheritance Tax (IHT) standpoint, so it is worth factoring it into estate planning.

How do I leave money to charity in my will?

There are many methods in which an individual can leave gifts to charity under the terms of their Will.

It is important to note that first you must confirm that your chosen charity is legitimate and registered with The Charity Commission. This ensures your money is not being misused and is going towards a genuine cause.

Time must also be spent to ensure that legal terminology is correct so that your charitable donation can go towards the correct cause and the executor is able to pay the gift.

You should consider leaving the charity specific instructions on what you wish the donation can be used for.

What are the types of charitable donations that can be used?

You can choose to leave all of your estate or a portion of your estate to a chosen charity when you die. The methods of donation include:

• Pecuniary legacy – An individual can leave a specific amount of money in their Will to a certain charity. You need to ensure the charity’s full name and registered charity number are included. If you chose to leave a pecuniary legacy to charity, no IHT would be paid on the amount gifted.
• Gifting a percentage of the estate – There is an option to leave a specific proportion of your estate to a charity, which is known as a residuary legacy. This means that after all funeral costs, debts and liabilities are paid, your chosen charity will receive a percentage of the amount that is left over. If you leave more than 10 per cent of your estate, you will receive an IHT relief.
• Leaving the whole estate – If an individual chooses to leave their entire estate to charity, there will be no IHT to pay. This is typically done if the individual has no dependents and wishes to support a cause close to their heart. Be aware though, if the individual does have financial dependents and chooses to not leave them anything, it could lead to Will disputes.
• Setting up a charitable Trust – there is an option to set up a charitable Trust during your lifetime. The Trust can be set up to gift money during your lifetime and as a part of your inheritance when you pass away.

If you wish to amend your will to include charitable donations, it can be done by a Codicil. This is a supplement document to your Will that carries out minor amendments. However, if you wish to make major changes, it is advisable to get a new Will drafted.

What impacts do charitable donations have on Inheritance Tax?

In the UK, gifts made to a registered UK charity are exempt from IHT regardless of the amount left. An added bonus is that if you leave over a specific amount, it can reduce your IHT bill.

If you wish to leave 10 per cent or more of your estate to a registered UK charity, it will reduce your IHT bill from 40 per cent to 36 per cent and the amount you leave to charity will be exempt from IHT.

This reduction can benefit beneficiaries by leaving them with more inheritance as well as benefiting charities.

How we can help

Leaving money to charity can be rewarding emotionally and for IHT purposes.

It is important to put your wishes into a Will drawn up by one of our talented solicitors in order to ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as you would like them to be.

If you wish to leave a portion, or all of your estate to a charity it is always best to seek advice from our team of legal professionals before you do so.

Get in touch today for expert advice on making a charitable donation in your Will.