More solicitors reference tax benefits of legacy giving during Will-writing than ever before

The proportion of solicitors and Will-writers referencing the tax benefits of legacy giving during Will-writing has risen to a new all-time high, according to research commissioned by Remember A Charity. The tracking survey, carried out by Future Thinking, monitors solicitors’ and professional Will-writers’ approach towards legacy giving and attitudes towards working with charities. Inheritance Tax benefits The latest survey – conducted in December 2016 – reveals that more than seven in ten (72%) solicitors and Will-writers always or sometimes advise clients about the Inheritance Tax benefits of legacy giving, up from two-thirds in 2015 and 61% in 2009, when the survey was first carried out. Almost two-thirds (64%) of advisers always or sometimes proactively mention the option of leaving a gift to charity, with 38% saying they always do so. One fifth of advisers sometimes proactively mention charity, while 14% never do. Twice as likely Advisers working with one of Remember A Charity’s campaign supporter firms are more than twice as likely to always mention charity bequests. There are now over 1,100 campaign supporter organisations that commit to mention the option of charitable giving during the Will-writing process. Three-quarters of advisers that worked for one of the consortium’s supporter firms always mention charitable legacies during the Will-writing process compared to just a third of advisers at other firms. Steady increase On average, advisers report that 17% of Wills contain a charitable bequest, showing a steady increase from 15% in 2011. The large majority (78%) said their firms have assisted in the administration of an estate containing a charitable legacy. Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, added: "Professional advisers play a critical role in making their clients aware of the option of charitable gifts in Wills. We are now seeing record numbers of advisers talking about the tax advantages of legacy giving and our campaign supporter appears to be making a significant impact here.” “But this makes it even more important that we build on this momentum and that the sector works collaboratively to engage the legal community with legacy giving. Working with professional advisers is a key part of our focus going forward, including during Remember A Charity Week, and we hope to encourage even more charities to join the campaign and help make legacy giving a social norm.”   Remember A Charity Week takes place 11-17 September 2017. Find out more about the consortium's Campaign Supporter Scheme.