RSPCA ruling 'jeopardises charity wills'

Charity wills may be at risk following a court hearing overturning a testament leaving a large estate to the RSPCA, it has been claimed.

A high court judge ruled the charity will - which named the animal-focused third sector organisation as benefactor of an estate worth more than £2 million - was invalid after a case lasting two years.

In a statement, the body commented: "The RSPCA has always been concerned this case may deter people from leaving gifts to charities in their wills, which would be detrimental to the charity sector."

Creating charity wills is one way to support worthy causes, with the Northern Echo recently reporting on the importance of the gifts to hospices in Lancashire.

A number of donation-reliant groups have been following the case closely, warning its implications mean the bodies may be deterred from fighting for assets they have been left in the face of punitive legal fees.

Published by Rose Orlik