Will Question

[imck]

In the process of writing my will online.
I am not married and have no children or siblings. Own my own house.

33% Going to three family members. One around my age (50s) and her two children (20s) (they have no children yet)
1% to a named charity.

I selected if one of them dies, their share should be split between the remaining beneficiaries.
How would this be split?
Would the charity get 1/3 of the inheritance of the person that died?

Thanks

[Mr-B]

If one dies and their share get split pro rata among the rest the charity will get a small portion of the deceased's share.

[imck]

Mr-B said:

If one dies and their share get split pro rata among the rest the charity will get a small portion of the deceased's share.

Thank You. That is what I hoped.

[Sheepshanks]

I've seen it advised not to name charities in Wills. Once they find out about it (they monitor Probate grants) they stick their oar in and can cause a lot of hassle for Executors.

Leave an expression of wishes letter asked for the beneficiaries to give 1% to the charity.

If you do still want to name the charity then it's suggested to leave a fixed sum, not a percentage - otherwise they may argue about the value of the estate, want to see accounts etc.

[Simpo Two]

Sheepshanks said:

If you do still want to name the charity then it's suggested to leave a fixed sum, not a percentage - otherwise they may argue about the value of the estate, want to see accounts etc.

Yep, a fixed sum would be much simpler and clearer. Problem solved!

[Callerton]

Yes, make it a fixed sum to the charity - it'll save the executors a whole lot of potential hassle.

[alscar]

Another vote to leave the Charity a fixed sum - they will still give the Executors hassle when they find out so hopefully that won’t be until when funds actually get distributed.

[The Gauge]

Make things as absolutely simple as you can, Im going through this now with my mums will which is perfectly straight forward but the stress involved in submitting IHT forms and handling all her finances is extremely complex and stressful as it is.

[C69]

+1 for not naming the charity in your will, and doing a letter of wishes instead (just make sure your executors are aware of it and its location).

If your estate is likely to be liable for IHT, it's worth bearing in mind that if you leave at least 10% to charity then the IHT rate ordinarily reduces from 40% to 36%. Some people (understandably) prefer to know what more of their money is going to be spent on, rather than leaving it to the government to decide.

[The Gauge]

Don't even mention the charity and instead just verbally tell each beneficiary you'd like them to donate a certain amount from their share.

[Simpo Two]

The Gauge said:

Don't even mention the charity and instead just verbally tell each beneficiary you'd like them to donate a certain amount from their share.

But they may not. Add the charity number too to avoid any confusion.

[Mr E]

Simpo Two said:

But they may not. Add the charity number too to avoid any confusion.

If you don’t trust them to respect your wishes, do you want them as beneficiaries?

I’m aware of a couple of instances where executors have had to tell charities that they understand the will and their responsibilities and they can fk off now and wait until the process completes.

[The Gauge]

Simpo Two said:

But they may not.

He'll be dead, does anything actually matter?

[Panamax]

Either (a) keep it mind-bendingly simple, or (b) get a solicitor who knows what they're doing. Otherwise you'll just be leaving a whole pile of trouble for your next of kin.

If it's worth doing, it's worth doing it right.

For instance, if those charitable gifts are a % of the estate is that a % before tax or after tax.... ??

[bigpriest]

imck said:

In the process of writing my will online.
I am not married and have no children or siblings. Own my own house.

33% Going to three family members. One around my age (50s) and her two children (20s) (they have no children yet)
1% to a named charity.

I selected if one of them dies, their share should be split between the remaining beneficiaries.
How would this be split?
Would the charity get 1/3 of the inheritance of the person that died?

Thanks

An example of a solicitor's wording for this is as follows (1.1 to 1.6 are six beneficiaries and their % split)

If any gift shares in provision number 1.1 to 1.6 fails for any reason, that failed gift share will be divided proportionately between the other surviving beneficiaries listed in provision number 1.1 to 1.6