1 in 2 partnerships are thanks to gifts in Wills
Your Will is an important document that reflects your life and values. It ensures your loved ones and the causes you care about are protected for the future.
Legacy gifts make up half our income. A gift to Canine Partners in your Will, no matter what size, will help us continue to train life-changing assistance dogs for people with physical disabilities.
If you choose to pledge a gift, your generosity will live long into the future, ensuring more disabled people can live life to the full with a canine partner by their side.
How to leave a legacy to Canine Partners
Once friends and family have been looked after, many people choose to leave a gift to a charity close to their heart. We are deeply grateful when someone chooses to support us in this way.
Gifts that are ‘unrestricted’ allow us to carefully use your donation where it’s needed most. But you can also choose to support an area of work close to your heart.
Your gift can be a percentage of your estate or a specific amount. Any gift you make to Canine Partners is exempt from inheritance tax, maximising the impact of your donation.
Request your free Gift in Will guide
We understand you’ll want to think everything through before making your decision. Our free Gift in Will guide has more information on what’s involved and the difference your gift could make.
If you decide to support us in your Will, please consider letting us know. We would love to keep you updated on our work.
Write your Will for free with Farewill
Writing your Will for free is quick and easy with our partners, Farewill. You can complete everything online or by phone in just 15-20 minutes.
Get in touch with Farewill’s friendly and professional solicitors online, or call them on 0208 176 6702.
We’re always grateful if you choose to include a legacy gift to Canine Partners, but there is no obligation to do so when you use this free service.
Frequently asked questions
We understand that leaving a gift in your Will to charity is a big decision.
Our FAQs are here to help – or you can get in touch using the form below.
Do I need a Will?
Having a Will isn’t a legal requirement. However, it’s the only way to ensure your estate is passed on to the people and charities you choose. Without a Will, the legal system will decide who inherits your estate.
How do I write my Will?
We always recommend consulting a solicitor when writing or updating your Will. It means you can rest assured that you have had professional advice and your wishes will be respected.
How much does it cost to write my Will?
Canine Partners offers a free Will-writing service with Farewill. There is no obligation to leave Canine Partners a gift when using this service.
A Will is a worthwhile investment to give you and your loved ones peace of mind. On average it costs between £80 and £150 to arrange a new Will. Solicitors can provide estimates, but it will depend on how complex your estate is.
Can you help me find a solicitor?
As a charity, we’re not able to recommend solicitors to you. Your country’s Law Society can help you to find a solicitor close to you:
The Law Society (England and Wales)
Law Society of Scotland
Law Society of Northern Ireland
How does Inheritance Tax work?
Inheritance Tax (IHT) is charged on the portion of your estate valued above a certain level at the time of your death.
A gift to charity in your Will could reduce the amount of tax owed on your estate. Thresholds, rates and rules can change, so please visit GOV.UK to see the latest on Inheritance Tax.
Your IHT rate will be cut to 36% on some assets if you leave 10% or more of the net value to a registered charity. Everyone’s finances are different, so we recommend talking to your solicitor or financial advisor for the latest advice.
Can Canine Partners act as executor of my Will?
We’re sorry, Canine Partners can’t act as executor of your Will as we have no in-house legal team.
How can I change my Will?
It’s important to review your Will regularly to ensure it reflects your current situation. It’s easy to make simple changes, such as adding a gift to charity, by using a legal document called a codicil. We recommend contacting a solicitor to find out more and make any changes.
What sort of gift can I leave?
There are two main types of gifts you can leave in your Will:
Residuary – a percentage of your estate after all other gifts have been made and any debts have been cleared.
Pecuniary – a fixed sum of money.
Can I leave a gift to a specific project, such as funding a dog’s training?
We’re deeply grateful for all gifts in Wills. While we plan for the future, we can never be certain of the support we will need in the decades to come. We will do our utmost to use your gift in the most fitting way for your wishes.
The most useful option for our charity is an unrestricted donation. It gives Canine Partners the flexibility to use your donation where it’s needed most, at the time we receive it.
However, if you would like fund a specific area of our work, please get in touch and we’ll help you to phrase an expression of wish that reflects what you’d like to support.
What information about Canine Partners will my solicitor need?
Our registered address:
Canine Partners
Ashby Road
Osgathorpe
Loughborough
Leicestershire
LE12 9SR
Our registered charity number: 803680
Will my legacy gift be confidential?
Yes. Canine Partners will respect your privacy at all times. We will not pass on the details of your Will or any confidential information to any third parties.
If you would like to share your personal reasons for choosing Canine Partners, we would love to hear them. We may then ask you if we can share your story for press, publications or social media purposes, but there is no obligation to say yes.
What if I change my mind?
Including a gift in your Will to Canine Partners is not a binding commitment during your lifetime. You can change your mind and amend your Will at any time. It’s a good idea to review it regularly in case your circumstances have changed.
Contact the Gifts in Wills team
Thank you so much for your interest in leaving a special gift to Canine Partners. If you have any questions or would like a free Gift in Will guide, please complete this form.