Gifts in Wills - FAQs

We would love to hear from you if you and answer any questions you may have. Please complete this contact form, email remember@zsl.org or call us on 020 7449 6216. 

Making a Will and keeping it up to date throughout your lifetime is the best way to ensure that your wishes will be carried out properly after you die. An up-to-date Will ensures the people and causes you care most about will be taken care of in the future. 
 

At ZSL, we are not just safeguarding wildlife - we are shaping the future of our planet. Through our two Conservation Zoos and pioneering, science-led research, we are creating a world where wildlife thrives. We cannot do this alone. 

We understand the importance of family, of caring for those closest to you. When you’ve ensured the future of those you love, consider the future of the planet. Your story does not have to end, it can continue to protect the planet for future generations. 

You will need to contact your solicitor or use our FREE Will Writing service here. 

If you do not have a solicitor already, you can find one by searching the STEP website or by using The Law Society's online database to find one in your area. 

We typically receive two types of gift left to ZSL in Wills: 

• Pecuniary gifts which are specific or fixed amount of money which is paid from your estate first.
• Residuary gifts which is a percentage or share of your estate which is a residue of the balance of your estate after tax, expenses and all other gifts in your Will have already been paid. It can be up to 100% but any percentage left to ZSL in your Will can make a real difference for wildlife. 

We also benefit from other specific gifts, for example, personal possessions, land, buildings or shares. Please note however, that if a specific gift is no longer in your estate at the time of your death, the gift will fail. 

If you already have a Will that you are happy with but would like to include ZSL, you can write a codicil to add a gift to your existing Will. We recommend asking your solicitor or professional Will write to help you with this.  
 

Lots of people worry about inheritance tax, but the good news is that by leaving a gift to ZSL in your Will you could help to reduce, even remove, the tax burden on your estate.

Inheritance tax may be payable on the value of a person's estate when they pass away, if the value of the estate exceeds the inheritance tax threshold (known as the nil rate band) set by the Government. Currently the inheritance tax threshold remains frozen at £325,000, and any amount above this would be potentially taxed at a rate of 40% depending on who receives the estate. 

UK-registered charities are exempt from inheritance tax, so a gift to your charity in your Will is tax-free, both for the charity and your estate. For example, if your estate is worth £10,000 more than the tax threshold and, assuming Inheritance Tax is payable on your estate is worth £10,000 more than the tax threshold, and assuming Inheritance Tax is payable on your estate and is at 40% (the current rate), at the time of your death there would be Inheritance Tax of £4,000 (40% of £10,000) to be paid out of the estate. But, if you made a cash gift to ZSL of £10,000, the notional value of your estate would be reduced by that amount and there would be no tax to pay. 

Also, to encourage charitable giving, the rate of inheritance tax is reduced from 40% to 30% when at least 10% of the net estate is left to charity. 

Inheritance tax is a complex issue and your solicitor or financial advisor can advise you on the best way to take advantage of any financial benefits that may be relevant to you and your estate, including changes to tax rates when including family members as recipients in your Will. As a charity, we cannot offer legal or tax advice, and we recommend speaking with your solicitor if you wish to make or update your Will. 

If you or your client would like to include a gift in their Will to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) for its general charitable purposes, please use the following wording:

A Gift of all or a share of Residuary Estate 
“I give to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY (registered charity number 208728) all / _____% of the residue* of my estate absolutely for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Finance Director or other proper officer at ZSL for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s)”. 

A Cash (pecuniary) Gift
“I give to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY (registered charity number 208728) the sum of £__________ (please specify words and figures) free of tax for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Finance Director or other proper officer at ZSL for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s)”.

A Specific Item
“I give to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY (registered charity number 208728) my ______________(specific item(s)) free of tax for its general charitable purposes and I declare that the receipt of the Finance Director or other proper officer at ZSL for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s)”.

A Gift of all, or a share of the Residuary Estate 
“I give to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY (registered charity number 208728) all/_____% of the residue* of my estate with the wish, but without imposing a binding obligation, that the gift is used for [area of our work, e.g. ZSL London Zoo], and I declare that the receipt of the Finance Director or other proper officer at ZSL for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s)”. 
*please delete as appropriate

A Cash (pecuniary) Gift
“I give to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY (registered charity number 208728) the sum of £__________ (please specify words and figures) free of tax, with the wish, but without imposing a binding obligation, that the gift is used for [area of our work, e.g. ZSL London Zoo], and I declare that the receipt of the Finance Director or other proper officer at ZSL for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s)”.

A Specific Item
“I give to the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Regent's Park, London NW1 4RY (registered charity number 208728) my ______________(specific item(s)) free of tax, with the wish, but without imposing a binding obligation, that the gift is used for [area of our work, e.g. ZSL London Zoo], and I declare that the receipt of the Finance Director or other proper officer at ZSL for the time being shall be a sufficient discharge to my executor(s)”.

Firstly, we want to send our heartfelt thanks for choosing to support ZSL in such a powerful way. We would love to let us know so that we can thank you personally, invite you to exclusive events and communicate with you regularly so you can see the vital work your legacy will be supporting. You can get in touch by emailing remember@zsl.org, calling 020 7449 6216 or completing our contact form here.