We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Charities chasing legacies
Chris768
Posts: 5 Forumite
Mom died in February 2013 and I was granted probate of her will at the end of April. Amongst other bequests, she left bequests to 6 charities. These were paid in July.
Last Saturday, I was surprised and annoyed to receive a letter from one of the charities, basically wanting to know where their bequest was. The sum involved was £250. After sending them a terse email; I received an apologetic response.
Have other executors had charities chasing legacies? If this is common practice, am I likely to get the others following suit over the coming weeks?
Chris
Last Saturday, I was surprised and annoyed to receive a letter from one of the charities, basically wanting to know where their bequest was. The sum involved was £250. After sending them a terse email; I received an apologetic response.
Have other executors had charities chasing legacies? If this is common practice, am I likely to get the others following suit over the coming weeks?
Chris
0
Comments
-
-
If you paid the bequests in July, not sure why they contacted you about it and why you would be thinking that the others may follow suit?0
-
No joined up administration ?
It is pretty obvious that many charities must be using some sort will search service to see if they are nominated and then they can chase up the bequest.
Was it a simple sum of money or something more complicated that would enable the charity to demand copies of the estate accounts?0 -
Only a minority of charities IMO are genuine.
The vast majority of others are set up to serve the huge salaries and wages and perks of the "team".
They pay pie in the sky salaries and expenses, free cars, free homes, free bills and hardly anybody can mention one thing they have done for anyone other than live a good lifestyle off the rich earnings.Be happy...;)0 -
Mom died in February 2013 and I was granted probate of her will at the end of April. Amongst other bequests, she left bequests to 6 charities. These were paid in July.
Last Saturday, I was surprised and annoyed to receive a letter from one of the charities, basically wanting to know where their bequest was. The sum involved was £250. After sending them a terse email; I received an apologetic response.
Have other executors had charities chasing legacies? If this is common practice, am I likely to get the others following suit over the coming weeks?
Chris
I assume from this the charity chasing you is one of those whom you paid? Did you ask for and get a receipt? Has the cheque been cashed?0 -
In that case you'll want to report them to the Charity Commisionsers, won't you?spacey2012 wrote: »Only a minority of charities IMO are genuine.
..................
....I'm smiling because I have no idea what's going on ...:)0 -
she left bequests to 6 charities. These were paid in July.
Last Saturday, I was surprised and annoyed to receive a letter from one of the charities, basically wanting to know where their bequest was.
It is normal for charities to ask for updates where they are inheriting under a Will. When you sent them the £250 did you tell them it was from the bequest? Did they receive and cash the cheque?0 -
Thanks for your replies.
I had missed the earlier thread, probably because it was called Capital Gains Tax - which thankfully didn't come into play with Mom's estate.
The payment was definitely made to the charity and I've got evidence for the payment. I paid the bequests shortly after moving house and I had a great deal on my mind at the time. I didn't make it clear at time of the payments that they were for a bequest; which is the root cause as to what has happened.
Chris0 -
Here's what I sent out recently as a covering letter to a charity which may help someone trawling up this thread at a later date.
Re: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Deceased)
I am pleased to advise that I have completed the administration of xxxx’s estate and he has chosen to support you in his will.
Please find enclosed a cheque for £xxxxx
I would be grateful if you could acknowledge its safe receipt.
Please also find enclosed estate accounts and a copy of the will for your records.0 -
In that case you'll want to report them to the Charity Commisionsers, won't you?
The only time I have ever needed to check out the probity of a charity the conversation went like this:
"Oh dear, we don't appear to have received any accounts from them for about 5 years - do you want me to send you a complaint form?".
I think things have improved since then with the realisation that charities can be used for tax avoidance and money laundering.
A lot of people running charities are amateurs dedicated to higher purposes, than mere book keeping, so they can be somewhat remiss at keeping up with the annual legalities.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.2K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 259.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards