Information for executors

We appreciate there’s a lot to sort out when a loved one has died, so please contact us when you feel able and ready. The sooner we know, the sooner we can help you.

We’ve created a guide to being an Executor. You can download a digital copy or we’d be happy to pop a printed copy in the post if you’d prefer.  Simply call us on 01460 238000 or email our team on Legacies@actionaid.org

If the gift contains a specific sum of money (known as a pecuniary legacy), the process is straightforward. All you need to do is send a covering letter letting us know the deceased’s name and address with a cheque for the correct amount payable to ActionAid at the address given below. If you are also able to include a copy of the Will clause in which we’re mentioned that would be most helpful, but please rest assured that isn’t essential.

If we’re a residuary beneficiary (we’ve been left a share of the estate), please get in touch with us as soon as you’re able, and preferably before you apply for Probate. Because Inheritance Tax and Capital Gains Tax rules for charitable beneficiaries aren’t the same as those for individuals, certain aspects of the administration (e.g. calculating IHT or selling a property) may need to be handled in a certain way to help reduce the tax bill and avoid complications.

Charities are carefully audited each year to check we’ve received what our supporters wanted us to receive: no more and no less. To help us do that, we would be very grateful to receive:

• a copy of the Will
• a list of the estate’s assets and liabilities
• estate accounts
• a tax deduction certificate (form R185) if applicable.

Once you’re ready to distribute your loved one’s gifts, you can do so in in the following ways.

• By cheque

  You can send a cheque payable to ActionAid, along with a covering letter detailing the deceased’s name and address, to:ActionAid UK, Chard Business Park, Jarman Way, Chard, TA20 1FB.

• By BACS transfer

If you’d prefer to transfer the money electronically, please email us Legacies@actionaid.org for our bank details and a reference.

If you’d like to speak to us in person, it would be our privilege to help and learn more about your loved one and their reasons for remembering us in this very special way

Our Legacy Administration specialist, a former Wills and Probate solicitor can answer any questions or concerns, or if you just need to update us, please email Legacies@actionaid.org or ring 01460 238000 to request a call back.