Leaving a Legacy

When the time comes to write or update your Will, please consider a gift to the National Army Museum. Anyone can leave a gift in their Will, it doesn’t have to be a huge amount. Even small gifts can make a big difference and your support can help the Museum in so many essential ways.

Your Will is, of course, a very important private matter. If you would like to talk to us about potentially leaving a legacy to the National Army Museum, do not hesitate to get in touch to discuss it in complete confidence.

Frequently asked questions

1. Why should I make a Will?
2. Are there tax benefits?
3. Why leave a legacy to the National Army Museum?
4. Can my gift be earmarked for a particular part of the Museum?
5. How do I make a Will?
6. What are the different types of legacy?
7. Is there any specific wording I should use?
8. How do I get in touch?

1. Why should I make a Will?

• It gives you peace of mind.
• If you die without a Will, the law decides 'who gets what' and your family, or your favourite charity, may miss out.
• Your Will can provide protection for your family, making sure of supporting their needs.
• Inheritance Tax may be charged on your estate. By careful planning you can reduce this burden.
• You can use your Will to benefit your favourite charities. All charitable gifts are free of Inheritance Tax.

2. Are there tax benefits?

Gifts to charity are generally exempt from all Inheritance Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Income Tax, so the full value of your gift will go straight to help our work.

3. Why leave a legacy to the National Army Museum?

We aim to use our Collection to tell the ongoing story of the Army and to reconnect the Army with society. To achieve this we need to make the objects in the Museum's care accessible in ways that inspire, provide enjoyment, and provoke questions from diverse audiences. We rely on our supporters to help us turn this mission into a reality.

Gifts from our supporters have never been more important to us. Your gift can help us safeguard the heritage of the British Army for the benfit of generations to come.

4. Can my gift be earmarked for a particular part of the Museum?

We will always do our best to meet your wishes. If you want your legacy to be put towards a specific area of the Museum, we will certainly look at how this might be achieved. There will be opportunities to sponsor individual galleries as well as many other rooms and spaces within the Museum.

5. How do I make a Will?

It can be quick and easy to make a Will, but it is important to involve a legal professional to draw it up for you. If all the legal formalities are not correctly followed your Will could be declared invalid.

6. What are the different types of legacy?

There are a number of ways to leave a legacy. It could be a gift of money, a share of your estate or specific items of property. If you already have a Will, your wishes can be put into effect by a simple amendment: a codicil.

There are different kinds of gift you can leave in your Will. The most common are:

Residuary legacy: A gift of all or part of your net estate (what remains after all taxes, specific gifts and the cost of administering the estate have been paid). This type of legacy should be expressed as a percentage or share of your estate.

Pecuniary legacy: A fixed sum of money. It is worth bearing in mind that inflation can erode the value of pecuniary legacies, so it is worth reviewing your Will on a regular basis, whether or not your circumstances change.

Specific legacy: A gift of a specific item or asset such as shares or jewellery.

7. Is there any specific wording I should use?

Residuary legacy: 'I give to the National Army Museum of Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT Registered Charity Number 237902 __% of the residue of my estate to be used by the Museum at its discretion and the receipt of the Director or the proper officer for the time being of the National Army Museum shall be a complete discharge to my Executors.'

Pecuniary legacy: 'I give to the National Army Museum of Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT Registered Charity Number 237902 the sum of £__ to be used by the Museum at its discretion and the receipt of the Director or the proper officer for the time being of the National Army Museum shall be a complete discharge to my Executors.'

8. How do I get in touch?

For more information or advice, or for suggested wordings for other types of gift, please complete our online enquiry form or contact:

Rosemary Gilbert,
Assistant Director of Development,
Tel: 020 7881 2420
Email: rgilbert@nam.ac.uk

If you do decide to support us in this way, please remember that you will never be under any lasting obligation. You can always change your Will at any time.