Bequests
Getting the Wording Right
It is always best to seek proper legal advice from a qualified solicitor when drawing up your will or changing your existing will. Below are examples of wording for the different types of gifts which can be left in a Will. As each parish is part of the single charity which is the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth (1199568), it is wise to refer to that charity number in your will. This is to ensure that your gift goes to the correct place.
A gift of a set amount of money
I give to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, Registered Charity Number 1199568, based at Diocesan Office, St Edmund’s House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth PO1 3QA, the sum of £___________ to meet the ongoing needs of the Diocese.
A gift of a proportion of what is left after all debts, other gifts and expenses have been paid
I give to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, Registered Charity Number 1199568, based at Diocesan Office, St Edmund’s House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth PO1 3QA, ____% of my estate (after all debts, legacies, Inheritance Tax and administration costs have been paid) to be to meet the ongoing needs of the parish.
A gift of a specific item
I give to the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, Registered Charity Number 1199568, based at Diocesan Office, St Edmund’s House, Bishop Crispian Way, Portsmouth PO1 3QA, stocks/shares/property/chattels to be used to meet the ongoing needs of the Parish.
Whichever form of gift is chosen, the following clause should also be added, as sometimes charities merge or change their legal status and charity number:
If, at my death, the charity named above (Original Charity) no longer exists or is being wound up, my Trustees must:
(a)if the Original Charity has merged, or is about to merge, with another charity (Recipient Charity) and the merger, when completed, is registered in the official register of mergers maintained by the Charity Commission, pay the Recipient Charity the amount specified above as being payable to the Original Charity; or
(b)if clause (a) above does not apply, pay the amount specified above as being payable to the Original Charity to another charity that has objects similar to the Original Charity.
Benefits to Others
The Government supports gifts to charities by people in their wills and any such gift is free of Inheritance Tax. This means that when your executors are calculating whether any Inheritance Tax is payable on your estate at the time of your death, they do not have to take into account any amount which you give to the Church.
Further information can be found through the Money Advice Service
