Frequently asked questions

Do I really need a Will?

It’s not a legal requirement, but a Will is the only way you can make sure your wishes are taken care of when you’re gone. Dying without a Will can cause problems for those left behind, at an already hard time. Making a Will can give you peace of mind and make things easier for your loved ones too.

Do I need to be wealthy to leave a gift in my Will?

No, every gift, no matter the size, will make a difference. From 1% of your estate to 100%, £500 to £50,000, your gift will help fund the research of tomorrow and create a better future for all people with all cancers across Wales.

What information do I need to include a gift in my Will to Cancer Research Wales?

To make sure we receive your intended gift in the future, please include our full charity name, address and registered charity number:

Cancer Research Wales
22 Neptune Court
Vanguard Way
Cardiff
CF24 5PJ

Registered Charity Number: 1167290

What are the different types of gifts I can leave?

• Residuary gift – this is made from whatever is left over after all expenses and other gifts have been paid. You can give the whole of the residue to a person or a charity like Cancer Research Wales, or a percentage of it. This type of gift isn’t affected by inflation so will hold its value better than a cash gift

• Pecuniary gift – this is a specified sum of money. If you would like your gift of money to maintain its value over time, you can ask your solicitor to index-link it

• Specific gift – this could be a particular item of value such as art, property, shares or jewellery. When we are left a specific gift, it is generally with the intention that it can be sold and the proceeds used to support our research.

We do recommend you use a qualified solicitor to write or update your Will, and make sure it is properly worded.

Are there any tax benefits to leaving a gift in my Will?

As a charity, any gift you leave to us in your Will is exempt from Inheritance Tax. The value of your gift will be deducted from your estate before Inheritance Tax is applied. Inheritance Tax rules are subject to change, so it’s always best to speak to a professional advisor or you can visit the government website for more information.

Do you need me to tell you I’ve left a gift in my Will?

You don’t need to tell us, but if you’re happy to share your intentions, we’d love to thank you.

What if I’ve already written my Will?

If you want to make a small change to an existing Will, you can usually do this with a codicil. This is a legal document that acts as a supplement to the original Will, and which needs to be stored with your Will. You should use a solicitor to do this to ensure it’s legally binding. If you need to make a lot of changes, or a large change, it may be better to write a new Will. We recommend you consult a solicitor or professional advisor. Alternatively, you could use our free Will writing services to make a new Will.

I am an executor, where do I send the legacy payment?

All correspondence should be sent to our Legacy Officer: Owen Phipps, Cancer Research Wales, 22 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff, CF24 5PJ, who will reply to the correspondence and acknowledge the payment. Cheques should be made payable to Cancer Research Wales. Read more information for executors.