Leave a legacy

We have been helping thousands of local residents resolve their life challenges for over 80 years. By leaving us a gift in your will, you help ensure that we will always be there to provide people with free, impartial and confidential advice, without any judgement. Significantly, your support allows us to invest in our ability to serve the local community, so that they feel safe, supported and reassured that there is always someone they can turn to.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • Leaving CAML a gift in your Will is easy. This guide covers the different types of gifts and the ways to approach including one in your Will.

    Please make sure you have our correct address and charity number: Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth, 7 Crown Parade, Crown Lane, Morden, SM4 5DA, registered charity No. 1046018.

    We recommend that you write your will with the help of a solicitor or a Will writer. The cost of these services should be relatively low and using them ensures that your wishes will be granted after you pass away. For a list of legal professionals in your area, you can visit the Law Society website at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/.

    Our team at finance@caml.org.uk is available to provide you with support and guidance if you would like to discuss making a gift or require any further information.

  • We understand that you may choose to make a legacy donation to us after leaving assets and possessions to loved ones. There are different types of gifts in Wills which you can make use of. If you are not certain which type is most appropriate for you, your solicitor can help you with that.

    • Pecuniary gift: this is a fixed sum of money.

    • Specific gift: a gift of a particular asset, such as a property or an investment.

    • Residuary gift: the remainder (or a part) of an estate after all other gifts, debts and expenses have been paid.

    • Reversionary gift: a gift whereby an asset is first used to provide a benefit to an individual, for example a property can be used by the individual to live in. Once the individual no longer needs the property, it then passes to a second beneficiary, such as a charity.

  • A gift in your Will can help us be there for all who need our support, for generations to come. Some of the ways in which your legacy will be put to work include:

    Client support: investing in our team so we can help more people every day.

    New services and projects: providing extra support in areas of significant need, such as housing and debt.

    Research and campaigns: supporting the improvement of policies and practices that affect people’s lives both locally and nationally.

    Social change: making an active contribution towards advocacy on pressing social matters, such as discrimination.

  • Yes. You can add minor changes in your will using a legal document called a codicil. You must sign a codicil and get it witnessed in the same way as witnessing a will. Further information on how to do this can be found at https://www.gov.uk/make-will/updating-your-will.

  • CAML will use the entirety of your gift solely within the charity. We always ensure that administrative costs are minimised so that our resources can best support clients. If you would like to have a say in how we spend your gift, please contact our team at finance@caml.org.uk for further information.

  • You don’t have to tell us if you have left us a gift in your Will. However, telling us that you are leaving us a gift would help us to better support your intentions, and plan for the future, as well as reduce administration costs. We can also keep you informed of the services and projects we develop using your help. If you would like to let us know that you have left a gift in your Will and would like to be updated about our work, please email finance@caml.org.uk and speak to a member of our team.

  • No, gifts to charities are exempt from Inheritance Tax. Furthermore, giving to charities can help reduce your overall Inheritance Tax.

  • If you would like to include CAML in your Will, it is important to use our full name and details in order to ensure that your gift reaches us.

    You just need our correct address and charity number: Citizens Advice Merton and Lambeth, 7 Crown Parade, Crown Lane, Morden, SM4 5DA, registered charity No. 1046018.

    If the wording is not right, we may not receive your gift.