Leave a legacy

A gift in your will is an investment in the future

Our advice services are more in demand today than ever before, and as we move into the future that demand looks set to grow even further. Any gift, however small, will help to ensure that we are still here for your family and friends, and their children and grandchildren.

Your will

Every adult should have a will, regardless of their age, income or wealth—it’s the only way of ensuring your wishes are met after your death. If you don’t make a will, your loved ones could face significant administrative and legal complications at a very difficult time. 

There is information about writing a will on our website. If you already have a will, it’s a simple process to change it to include a gift to Citizens Advice or a local Citizens Advice.

Your gift

Citizens Advice is a charity—that's why we need your support. As independent charities, Citizens Advice and each of our 273 local Citizens Advice rely on the support of members of the public—people like you. Gifts left to charities in wills—usually known as legacies—don't need to be large. Even a small percentage of your estate, left as a gift, can make a big difference.

None of us can predict what problems our families and friends—and their children and grandchildren—may face in the future. They might have money difficulties, a relationship breakdown or ill health. They might have a disability, face an employment dispute or become a victim of discrimination. We are determined to make sure that whatever problems they face in the future, they don't have to face them alone. You can help us achieve this aim by leaving us a gift in your will.

How we will use your gift

Your gift could help us in many ways and you can specify how you’d like us to use your gift. For example:

  • you may choose to leave a gift to national Citizens Advice to support the work of our whole service across England and Wales

  • you may prefer to support a specific area of work with your gift e.g. improving our telephone advice service; supporting our financial capability work; or helping us to tackle discrimination

  • you can even choose an individual local Citizens Advice or community to benefit from your support

Whichever you choose, you can be assured that your gift will make a real difference to people’s lives and help us build healthier communities and a fairer society.

If you’d like to talk to someone about leaving a gift to Citizens Advice or a particular local Citizens Advice, you can contact:

  • Your solicitor 

  • Caroline Barrett, Senior Income Generation Officer at Citizens Advice on caroline.barrett@ citizensadvice.org.uk

  • The chief officer at a local Citizens Advice (Caroline Barrett can help with the contact details for local offices if necessary)

Some frequently asked questions

How do I make a will?

What if I already have a will?

Adding a gift to Citizens Advice to your existing will is a simple process. There is information about how to change your will on our website

Do I have enough assets?

Many people are surprised by how much their assets add up to. You don't need to be wealthy to make a will—or to leave a legacy. After taking care of your loved ones, you can then choose to leave Citizens Advice a:

  •  residuary legacy—a portion of what is left after all your other commitments have been met

  • pecuniary legacy—a gift of a specific amount

What about inheritance tax?

Leaving a gift to a charity such as Citizens Advice can lower the inheritance tax payable on your estate. You can find more information about this on the Gov.UK website.

To continue our vital work we need your support, so please consider leaving us a gift in your will—take care of your family and loved ones, and help us to take care of your community's future.

Remember a Charity

We are strategic partners in the Remember a Charity consortium, and their website contains lots of further information and guidance on how to leave a gift to charity in your will.

Logo of Remember a Charity consortium that reads Remember a Charity in your will: Help the work live on...