Charity alters policy after wills and probate issue

One charity has altered its legacy fundraising policy as a result of a wills and probate issue.

Practical Action made this move as Marcus Watkins, the executor of his mother-in-law's estate, complained that a number of charitable bodies had "bombarded" him to be left some of her assets after her passing, Thirdsector.co.uk reported.

Now, as a result of Mr Watkins complaining, the charity has decided to cease asking for donations from the executors of wills in letters it sends to these individuals, legacy officer at the charity Mary Harwood said.

She said: "We are very upset to have caused him [Mr Watkins] such distress and, as a result, we have stopped this practice completely.

In addition, Ms Harwood spoke of her surprise on hearing that Mr Watkins had been contacted by 58 charitable organisations following his mother-in-law's passing.

According to Ms Harwood, the charity did not often use this wills and probate practice and had only done so less than 11 times throughout the previous three or four year period.

Despite Mr Watkin's case, many still choose to leave money to charities when they make a will, such as the late designer Alexander McQueen who chose to leave £100,000 each to two animal charities, as well as naming the Terrence Higgins Trust in the document.

Published by Hannah Carr