Have you considered a charity donation in your will?

A disappointing number of people leave a donation to charity when they make a will, according to the Institute of Professional Willwriters.

Despite the process being "easy enough", too few people decide to make a legacy donation, the institute's chairman, Paul Sharpe, claims.

"The charity sector is probably the one which spends most time and effort getting people to make a will," he explained. "Probably because they potentially have the most to gain from a will being made."

However, he said donor numbers remain "disappointing, even when the subject is raised at the will making time".

There are advantages to donating to charity when making a will.

Reductions in inheritance tax are offered by HM Revenue and Customs if part of an estate is left to charity - either in the form of a fixed sum, known as a Pecuniary Legacy, or in the form of Residuary Legacy, once other gifts have been distributed.

Gifts made to charities seven years prior to a person's death are also exempt from inheritance tax.

Published by Tessa Jones