Putting a charity into a will - potential problems

[ArcheryAnnie]

This has arisen as a side issue on another thread, but since it's a bit of a derail, I thought I'd ask properly here.

Has anyone had any problems with wills which have charity bequests in them?

I have rewritten my will (was going to anyway, for other reasons - it needed updating) and have removed a charity bequest from it, with regret, because the charity are doing something I fundamentally disagree with and think is contrary to their stated aims. I was going to write to them and tell them about this, with the reasons I have done it, but several others on here have advised me to not do this as, should I fall under a bus tomorrow, the charity's legal team will pursue my estate for the bequest anyway.

Can they do this? Is this really a common thing? If my will is properly drawn up, by a solicitor, and I am in sound mind, how can the charity even try?

Had you previously told the charity of your intended bequest? [sorry have no knowledge to impart on this thread]

I had mentioned it in a phone call, don't think I've ever said it in writing, but not sure.

the charity's legal team will pursue my estate for the bequest anyway.

Only if they know who you are! Send the 'disinheriting' letter anonymously.

the charity's legal team will pursue my estate for the bequest anyway.

Really?

You learn something new every day.

I've always seen on threads talking about wills and bequests (or potential bequests) to family members that anyone can change their will and not to depend on it until the person dies and their final will has been read.

Does that not count in the case of non-family members?

Sorry - not intentional derail of your thread Annie when you had not derailed the other, I'm jut flabbergasted by that notion!!

should I fall under a bus tomorrow, the charity's legal team will pursue my estate for the bequest anyway.

No, they won't .

Good Lord there are some idiots on here.

They only pursue it if it is in your most up to date will.

Sometimes they have to pursue it if the family oppose it. For example if a mad cat lady decides to leave her full million pound estate to the RSPCA (who are like a dog with a bone believe me) and nothing to her children.

But it has to be in the most up to date will for them to try to pursue it so get your will changed and don’t worry.

Thanks for the advice, all.

MrsBert why so rude? Wills are complicated, everyone has a story, it's reasonable for me to ask for advice - and it's kind of people to raise possible problems with me, even if it turns out that those possible problems are unlikely to materialise.

But op you haven’t made a bequest.... there’s nothing in writing so how are they going to claim a share of your will!!!

I didn't mean you, OP. I meant the berks who spout this

but several others on here have advised me to not do this as, should I fall under a bus tomorrow, the charity's legal team will pursue my estate for the bequest anyway.

If your extant will has a bequest to the charity and you die, yes, they will pursue it.But if you have updated your will then there will be no bequest to pursue. So they won't.