Leaving a legacy: Making charitable gifts in your will

'Legacy Giving' isn't a subject that's widely discussed within church circles. Only 14% of people are estimated to donate to charity through their will, yet this percentage amounts to almost £4 billion for good causes each year. How much more would churches and other Christian causes benefit if legacy giving was more widely promoted?

This paper looks at the Biblical and ethical considerations that may shape a decision to leave a legacy for a church or charity, the practical and legal matters to consider when drawing up a will, and the tax-planning opportunities afforded by making one or more gifts to charity in a will.

Topics included:

• Biblical and ethical considerations in estate planning
• Making and changing your will
• Practical and legal matters you need to consider in drawing up a will
• The tax planning opportunities afforded by making charitable gifts in your will, or by legally varying the will of the deceased
• The advantages of leaving a charitable legacy to a Stewardship Giving Account