Leaving a Gift in your Will: FAQs
It’s reassuring to know that your affairs are in order. Ensuring your legacy supports people and causes you care about is a big part of that. We’ve answered some of your questions about leaving a gift to the Home in your Will.
What types of gifts can I leave in my Will?
There are three types of gifts you can leave to charity:
- Pecuniary (a fixed amount of money)
- Residuary (a portion or the entirety of your remaining estate, after other designated gifts, expenses, and taxes have been settled.)
- Specific (a particular object, asset, or property).
Is there a minimum amount I can leave in my Will?
No, there is no minimum amount you can leave to charity in your Will. All gifts, no matter the size, can help secure the future of the Home.
Is there specific wording I need to use in my Will?
Your solicitor or professional Will-writer will be able to advise on the specific wording to be used.
The only information you need to have ready beforehand is the charity’s name, address, and its registered charity number.
Our details are:
Our name: Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home
Our address: 26 Seafield Road East, Edinburgh EH15 1EH
Our registered charity number: SC006914
What if I need to change my Will later?
The good news is, you can update and change your Will at any time.
There are two options to choose from, depending on the changes you wish to make.
- You can add a piece of paper called a codicil to your existing Will.
- You can make an entirely new Will with any changes.Either way, it’s important to make sure the updated Will is valid – your solicitor will be able to advise you on this.
Either way, it’s important to make sure the updated Will is valid, your solicitor will be able to advise you on this.
You can search for a solicitor near you by using the Law Society Directory, a professional body for solicitors.
Find a Solicitor in Scotland via Law Society of Scotland
Find a Solicitor in England and Wales via The Law Society
Are there any tax benefits to leaving a gift in my Will?
Yes, remembering a charity in your Will is a tax-efficient way to support the cause close to your heart and your loved ones. Any gift you leave to charity in your Will is exempt from inheritance tax. If you choose to give 10% or more of your estate to charity, the inheritance tax rate drops from 40% to 36%.
Your impact
How is remembering Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home in my Will going to make a difference?
It costs almost £3 million each year to run our essential services, and we don’t receive any regular government funding.
Gifts in Wills make up about a third of all the donations we receive, and we wouldn’t be able to care for the animals who come through our door without the generosity of our community.
Our work extends beyond our walls too. Through education and services such as our Pet Care Clinics and Pet Food Banks, we support people through difficult times to help keep pets in loving homes.
By remembering us in your Will you would ensure we can continue providing these vital services and help spread awareness of our cause.
How will my gift help the animals?
We give our animals everything they need to thrive, from medical care to nourishing diets, enrichment toys, treats, and love and attention.
On top of this, we have to consider the practical elements of running our Home, such as electricity, heating, staffing, washing, and even fuel for our vans or waste disposal.
Our animals are worth every penny and every second of hard work, but it all adds up!
We launched a new vision for the Home’s future in 2022. We will continue to be a safe place for dogs and cats who need a new home, but we also want to prevent people having to have to give up their pets by supporting pet owners in the community.
We kicked off a range of new initiatives to make this future happen: projects like our dog first aid courses, community outreach programmes, education and advice services, and pet food banks.
Your gift will help to ensure that the Home continues to provide dogs and cats with a happy and healthy life for many generations to come.
Can I specify how my gift is used?
We’ll always ensure we use your gift carefully and wisely where it’s needed most and where it will have the greatest benefit for the dogs and cats.
If, however, you ask for the gift to be restricted to an area that’s most important to you, for example, if you would like it to benefit cats directly, we’ll honour your wish.
Just make sure your intentions are stated clearly in your Will, and if they are very specific, we recommend discussing them with us beforehand.
How do I balance leaving gifts to family and charity?
Gifts to family and friends always come first. But if you also choose to include a gift to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home in your Will, it will make sure that animals are cared for long into the future. Your gift will have a lasting impact on hundreds on dogs and cats.
Should I let you know about my decision?
There is no obligation to tell us about your plans and the status of your Will and we’ll never pressure you to tell us what’s in it or how you should plan your estate.
However, if you feel comfortable with letting us know you have remembered us in your Will, it will help us plan for the Home’s future.
