Writing your Will
Thank you for considering a gift in your Will to Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å®. This page contains practical information on how to do so, including our free Will-writing offer.
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Free Will service
Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® alumni and staff can . MyIntent offers a simple and convenient Will-writing service designed to help you create the right Will for your needs, with clear guidance each step of the way.
How it works
- Visit Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® page on MyIntent and complete the online Will interview.
- Receive independent legal advice online, with tailored recommendations for your Will based on your circumstances.
- Choose your next step. Book a free 30-minute video appointment with a legal expert to discuss your wishes further. Or, if suitable, proceed straight to requesting your free basic Will.
- Receive your Will along with clear instructions on how to sign and witness it correctly.
Need to know: If your Will is more complicated, you might need to pay for a Will with additional protections. If this applies, you'll be told about any fees straight away. You can then decide whether you'd like to proceed.
There's no obligation to include a gift to Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® when you use this service, but once you've cared for your loved ones, you might consider leaving a legacy to the university. A gift in your Will can support talented students, fund groundbreaking research, and drive innovation across the arts and social sciences.
To explore other Will-writing options, please visit the  to find a solicitor.
Inheritance Tax
As an exempt charity, any gift in Will left to Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® is free from UK inheritance tax for UK residents.
In the UK currently, the value of your gift is deducted from the Estate's value before inheritance tax is calculated. This means that by remembering Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® in your Will, you may be able to reduce the taxable value of your assets and lower the amount of inheritance tax due.
For example, for those who choose to leave 10 per cent or more of their estate to charity, the inheritance tax liability can be reduced from 40 per cent to 36 per cent.
Please be aware that we can only provide this information about Inheritance Tax rules. These can change at any time, so it is important that you seek legal advice to discuss the contents of your Will.
Learn more about inheritance tax on the .
Types of legacy gift and suggested wording
Residuary bequest
This is when you leave a percentage of your Estate after expenses have been paid. A residuary gift is less likely to be affected by inflation so it's the most valuable way to leave money in your Will.
Pecuniary bequest
This is a fixed cash sum, which can be index-linked to rise with inflation and preserve its value.
Specific bequest
A specific asset, such as property, valuable artwork or stocks and shares, that would be sold by the university.
Reversionary bequest 
This enables you to pass your Estate (or asset) to an initial beneficiary for their lifetime. After that time, the estate (or asset) can be passed to the university absolutely.
A legacy endowment
An endowment is a significant sum invested wisely to grow and provide secure long-term income for the university. 
As a helpful basis for discussion with a legal professional, please download our suggested wording document.
Updating your Will
If you already have an existing Will, you can make an amendment and include a gift to Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® by completing our Codicil Form. You should always use an independent legal professional to advise you on how to add this Codicil to your Will.
Bequests from the USA
Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Ů’ College is registered with the British Schools and Universities Foundation, a US-based education foundation with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status. This means alumni and friends of the College living in the United States can possibly benefit from the tax deductions on their charitable donations. A legacy gift can be made to BSUF who will then send the funds to Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Ů’ College at no charge. Please be aware that we can only provide this information about charitable donations and it is important that you seek appropriate legal advice before leaving a legacy gift to BSUF.
Contact us
We’d love to hear from you. If you have any questions about leaving a gift in your Will or want to learn more about how Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® could support your wishes, please do not hesitate to reach out to our Legacy team: giving (@gold.ac.uk)
If you have chosen to include Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® in your Will, we would be grateful if you could let us know so we can welcome you to Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å® Legacy Society.
Ã山ǿ¼éÓ×Å®
Development and Alumni Office 
London SE14 5PZ