There are three types of gifts you can leave in a Will:
a percentage share (sometimes called a residuary gift)
a lump sum (a pecuniary gift)
a specific item (such as jewellery or property)
Have a look at our glossary if you need help with some of the legal terms.
You choose a percentage share of your estate to gift to charity. This is also known as a residuary gift. This type of gift is the most valuable because its value is not affected by changes in inflation.
Many people also choose to leave a percentage share as you don’t need to worry if your financial situation changes.
The video below explains why choosing a percentage share can protect your gift against changes in inflation.
Sometimes referred to as a pecuniary gift, this is a fixed amount. It can lose its value over time as costs increase meaning the benificiary may not get the level of gift you intended.
A particular item, such as a car, jewellery or property. A specific item is usually less at risk from fluctuations in inflation.
Explore the different Will-writing options.
Use our suggested wording to leave a gift to Cancer Research UK in your Will.
If you'd like to begin again, head back to the right starting point for you.
If you have questions about updating your Will or writing a new one, our friendly team can help.
