Leave a Legacy – Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole

Please remember, a gift in your will can help us make a lasting and worthwhile difference to the people of Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole for years to come.

Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole is completely independent and our advice is impartial, confidential and free. The issues we help with include: Housing problems; Relationship breakdown; Managing personal debt; Claiming benefits; Employment issues; Legal advice.

As a charity, we rely on the support and generosity of members of the public. People like you. Gifts left to charities – usually known as legacies – don’t need to be large. Even a small percentage of what you leave behind as a gift can make a big difference and help secure the future of the charity and the support it brings the community.

For thousands of people, we are the only source of professional advice available.

As we move into the future, legacies are becoming an increasingly vital form of income for all charities. At present, we are not receiving the legacy income we need because not enough people realise we are a charity.

Our advice services are more in demand today than ever before – and as we move to the future that demand looks set to grow even further. That’s why legacies are so vital to our work. By adding Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole to your will, you’ll be making sure we are still here for generations to come.

In delivering our vision and mission, everyone will be able to access free advice to find a way forward. We will also continue to campaign on issues of equality and diversity.

We recommend you use the services of a solicitor to make a will. Your solicitor can add Citizens Advice Bournemouth & Poole to an existing will with a written instruction called a codicil. Or when setting a will up, simply state that you wish support your community’s future by leaving a gift to Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole. Leaving a gift to a charity can lower the Inheritance Tax payable on your estate. Your solicitor can answer any questions you have about Inheritance Tax.

Most people are surprised by how much their assets add up to. You don’t need to be wealthy to make a will – or leave a legacy. After taking care of your loved ones, you can chose to leave a Residuary legacy (a portion of what is left after all your other commitments have been met) – or a Pecuniary legacy (a gift or a specific amount) to Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole.

A will must follow certain legal requirements to be valid. For example, it must be signed in front of two witnesses. If it isn’t done properly, your charity could lose out on the gift.

To find a solicitor, visit: www.lawsociety.org.uk

Gifts in lieu of flowers or in memoriam of people are also appreciated ways of leaving a legacy in memory of loved ones.

Registered Charity Number: 1074727

Citizens Advice Bournemouth Christchurch & Poole, The West Wing, Town Hall, Bourne Avenue, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 6DX