Leave a Legacy. Create a Wilder Kent.

There are several types of legacy gifts you can leave: 

• A specific sum; this is a gift of a set amount of money. 
• A share of your estate; this is a percentage of your estate after all other gifts and expenses have been paid. These gifts are very important to us as they usually maintain their value or increase over time. This also means you're less likely to need to amend it in the future.
• Living Legacy; giving a meaningful gift or contribution during your lifetime, rather than after death. This can include donating money, property/land, or time to a cause or organisation you care about. By creating a living legacy, you not only support something important to you, but also get to witness the positive difference your gift makes during your lifetime. To discuss a living legacy, contact Terri Chalkley by emailing [email protected] or calling 01622 662012.
• A specific item; whether you have an item you've cherished, something you think would support our understanding of local ecology, or stocks and shares - anything you leave for Kent Wildlife Trust will be used to support nature's recovery and we're always grateful to have been remembered.

Absolutely. We are so grateful for any amount you feel able to leave in your Will for wildlife and all gifts make a difference. Whether you leave 1% or a nominated amount every £1 left to Kent Wildlife Trust helps protect nature for future generations.

Your Will should include:

• Your chosen executor (this is the person who will administer your Will).
• Who you want to remember in your Will. List all your family members, friends and the causes you care about.
• Your estate; this will include property, savings, pensions, insurance policies, bank accounts, stocks and shares and your personal belongings.
• How you’ve chosen to distribute your assets amongst your beneficiaries (this means the amount or item you are leaving to each individual).
• Any guardianship arrangements for your children or anyone in your care.

We’ve partnered with Octopus Legacy’s professional Will writing service to offer free Wills. Their fully trained and qualified team helps you to create a Will that suits you and your loved ones. You’re fully in control and aren’t obliged to leave anything. Octopus can discuss your Will online, over the phone, or in person.  

• We also work with FreeWills, who provide a simple, step-by-step online Will writing service that you can complete from home at no cost. Their Wills are solicitor-checked for added peace of mind.
• For complex Wills or if you are using your own solicitor, contact them directly and they will provide you with a quote.

You can change your Will as many times as you wish. You don’t have to completely re-write your Will if you are only making minor amendments, such as leaving a gift to Kent Wildlife Trust. Instead, you can use a codicil form (click on the link below to find a draft form with instructions). If you do make any changes, we would be very grateful to hear from you, whether you have changed, added, or removed a gift to the Kent Wildlife Trust from your previous Will as this helps us plan for the future. 

Codicil form

While we’re unable to provide specific legal advice, we are happy to talk to you about how your gift could be used to protect wildlife. 

We’ve partnered with Octopus Legacy’s professional Will writing service to offer free Wills. Their fully trained and qualified team helps you to create a Will that suits you and your loved ones. You’re fully in control and aren’t obliged to leave anything. Octopus can discuss your Will online, over the phone, or in person.  

At the moment, if you leave a gift to Kent Wildlife Trust in your Will it will not be included when valuing your estate for Inheritance Tax purposes. The value of your gift will be deducted from your estate before Inheritance Tax is applied; this usually means that your loved ones pay less tax on their inheritance. However, please be aware that Inheritance Tax rules can change and everyone’s circumstances are different, so if you have any questions, we recommend speaking to your solicitor. 

If you decide to include a gift to the Kent Wildlife Trust, it’s easy. All you have to do is give your solicitor the registered address and registered charity number of the Kent Wildlife Trust and your solicitor will do the rest.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s registered charity number is 239992 and registered address is Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD.

• A specific sum of money

  My bequest to …  Kent Wildlife Trust for a set sum - a pecuniary legacy "I give free of tax to … Kent Wildlife Trust (Registered charity number 239992  of Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD, the sum of £______ for the general purposes of the Kent Wildlife Trust and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.

• A share of your estate

  My bequest to …. Kent Wildlife Trust of the residual estate (or a proportion of) - a residuary or percentage legacy "Subject to the payment of my debts, funeral and testamentary expenses, I give the whole (residuary) or ______% of my estate not otherwise disposed of by this my Will to ... Kent Wildlife Trust (Registered charity number 239992 of Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD, for the general purposes of … Kent Wildlife Trust and I declare that the receipt of their Treasurer or other proper officer shall be a full and sufficient discharge.

Although there is no obligation for you to let us know, it will allow us to thank you and help us plan for the future. If you do tell us, this promise is only a statement of your present intentions, it is no way legally binding and can be varied or withdrawn at any time.

Yes, there are a variety of ways to remember a loved one with Kent Wildlife Trust. If you are a beneficiary of an estate, you may be able to redirect all or part of your inheritance to Kent Wildlife Trust using a legal document called a Deed of Variation.

A Deed of Variation must normally be completed within two years of the person's death and may have tax implications. As every estate is different, we recommend that you seek independent legal advice.

We also offer a range of opportunities for you to make a gift in memory including, sponsoring a plot at a wildlife reserve or supporting an entire reserve, dedicating a bench, taking a collection at your loved ones funeral, remembering their love for nature with a plaque on the Tree of Life at Sevenoaks, supporting one of our flagship projects such as the Bison Bridges, or creating a page of Much Loved.

In memoriam options

As the executor of a will, your role is to manage the deceased's estate, pay any outstanding debts, and distribute assets to beneficiaries in accordance with the will and any applicable legal requirements. However, you don't have to do it all yourself. You can appoint a probate specialist to help administer the estate, and if you feel you are unable to fulfil the role, you may be able to renounce your appointment as executor. 

Introduction to role as Executor

Please note that, for legal reasons, we cannot provide legal advice. If you're unsure about your responsibilities or how the law applies to your situation, we recommend speaking to a qualified solicitor.

Kent Wildlife Trust’s registered charity number is 239992 and registered address is Tyland Barn, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD.

If you would like to discuss leaving a gift in your Will, please contact Terri Chalkley  [email protected] or call 01622 662012. 

Any conversation will be completely confidential and without obligation.