Leaving a gift to Mind in your Will: a lasting way to support mental health

Making a Will is usually about the people closest to you. It is about putting clear plans in place, protecting your loved ones, and making things easier for those left behind.

For some people, it is also a chance to support a cause that has meant something to them during their lifetime. If mental health support is close to your heart, you may be wondering whether you can leave a gift to Mind in your Will. The answer is yes!

Can you leave money to a charity in your Will?

Yes. In England and Wales, you can leave a gift to a charity in your Will. This can be done in different ways, including leaving a fixed amount of money, a particular item, or part of what is left in your estate after other gifts and expenses have been dealt with.

That means there is no single “right” way to do it. Some people choose a modest fixed gift. Others prefer to leave a percentage of their estate, so the gift rises or falls with the overall value of what they leave behind. In some cases, a person may choose to leave a specific item instead.

For many people, this kind of gift is not about making a grand gesture. It is more about knowing that after providing for family and friends, they may also be able to support work they believe in.

If you have questions about what to include in your will, download our free wills guide.

Why people choose to leave a gift to Mind Charity

Everyone’s reason will be different. Some have had personal experience of mental health struggles, either themselves or within their family. Others want their Will to reflect the values that mattered to them in life.

Mind it has been working for over 60 years to improve mental health support and respect for people experiencing mental health problems. Mind explains that gifts left in Wills help support its future work. For people who have seen the value of mental health support, that can make leaving a gift feel especially meaningful.

 

 

Can you still put your family first?

Absolutely. For most people, that is the starting point.

A Will should first make sure the right arrangements are in place for the people who matter most to you. Leaving a gift to charity is entirely your choice, and it should only be done in a way that feels right for your circumstances.

That is one of the reasons legal advice can be helpful. A solicitor can make sure your Will reflects your wishes clearly, while also making sure any charitable gift fits properly alongside the rest of your estate planning.

 

What do you need to leave a gift to Mind in your Will?

If you are thinking about leaving a gift to Mind, it is important to make sure the charity is identified correctly in the Will.

You will also need to think about what type of gift you want to leave. This could be:

• a fixed sum of money
• a specific item
• a share of what is left in your estate after other gifts, costs, and liabilities have been dealt with

There is no single approach that suits everyone. Some people prefer the certainty of a fixed amount. Others prefer to leave a percentage share.

 

If you already have a Will

If you already have a Will in place, it may be possible to update it so that it includes a charitable gift. This is often a good opportunity to review whether the rest of your Will still reflects your current wishes as well.

A Will should not usually be treated as something you make once and forget about. Changes in family life, finances, property, or personal priorities can all be reasons to review it.

 

Does leaving money to charity affect Inheritance Tax?

It can. Gifts to qualifying charities are generally deducted from the value of an estate before Inheritance Tax is calculated. Where 10% or more of the net estate is left to charity, a reduced rate of Inheritance Tax may apply in some cases.

This can be a helpful part of the wider picture, but tax should not be the only reason for making this kind of decision. It matters more is that your Will is clear, valid and right for you. If tax is likely to be relevant in your case, tailored legal advice is especially important.

For more guidance on this, follow this link to the GOV website.

 

Why it is important to get your Will signed properly

A Will is not just about what it says. To make sure your will is legal, it has to be validly signed and witnessed.

You cannot leave anything to a witness, or to their spouse or civil partner, and no one connected to the charity should act as a witness to the signing of a Will where a charitable gift is involved.

This is one of the main reasons people choose to use a solicitor. Even where your wishes are straightforward, mistakes in wording or signing can create avoidable problems later.

 

A thoughtful way to support a cause that matters to you

Leaving a gift to Mind in your Will is a personal decision. For some, it will feel like the right way to support a cause that has touched their life, while still making sure loved ones are protected.

If that is something you have been thinking about, it helps to talk it through properly. You may already know exactly what you want to do. Or you may simply want to understand the options before making any decisions. Either way, getting clear advice early can make the process feel much more straightforward.

At JR Levins, our Wills team can help you prepare a new Will or review an existing one, talk through your family circumstances, and make sure any gift you choose to leave is drafted clearly and properly. The aim is always the same: to give you peace of mind that the right plans are in place.

When you feel you are ready, contact us:

0151 480 5777 – option 4
wills@jrlevins.co.uk

Read our Will FAQ’s

 

 

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