Making a Will is an important way to ensure your loved ones have a secure future. Please help the World Owl Trust by leaving us a gift in your Will to ensure that owls and their habitat also have a secure future.

You can write your own Will but we would recommend that you take the advice of a solicitor to ensure the correct wording is used. Below, we have explained some of the terms that are used to describe the type of gift you may want to bequeath to the Trust and suggested wording that could be used in your Will.

Inheritance Tax
Leaving a gift to the World Owl Trust in your Will not only helps a good cause but also normally reduces your Inheritance Tax liability, because any gifts to charities are deducted from the value of your estate prior to taxation.

Terms used in a Will
Estate – This is everything you own including any life insurance policies that will be paid on your death.

Net Estate – is what remains after all taxes, specific gifts and the costs of administering your estate have been paid.

Residuary legacy – is a gift of all or part of your net estate. This type of legacy should be expressed as a percentage or share of your estate.

Pecuniary legacy – this is a fixed sum of money. Remember that inflation can erode the value of this type of legacy so it is worth reviewing your Will on a regular basis whether or not you circumstances change.

Specific legacy – is a gift of an item or asset such as property, shares or jewellery.

Executors – they are the people appointed by you in your Will to ensure that your wishes are carried out and your estate is dealt with in accordance with your Will.

Examples of suggested wording to use in Wills
For a share of the estate
I give all/a share of (state as a fraction/percentage) of the residue of my estate absolutely to the World Owl Trust, Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RQ, Registered Charity Number 1107529 to be applied by the World Owl Trust for its charitable purposes and I further direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or any other proper officer of the World Owl Trust for the time being shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.

For a specific sum
I give to the World Owl Trust, Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RQ, Registered Charity Number 1107529 absolutely, the sum (amount in figures and amount in words) to be applied by the World Owl Trust for its charitable purposes and I further direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or any other proper officer of the World Owl Trust for the time being shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.

For a specific item
I give to the World Owl Trust, Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass, Cumbria, CA18 1RQ, Registered Charity Number 1107529 absolutely, (write here whatever you wish to give) to be applied by the World Owl Trust for its charitable purposes and I further direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or any other proper officer of the World Owl Trust for the time being shall be sufficient discharge to my executors.

To discuss legacies further, please contact The Owl Centre, either:
By telephone: 01229 717393

Or by E-mail

By Surface Mail:
World Owl Trust
The Owl Centre
Muncaster Castle
Ravenglass
Cumbria. CA18 1RQ
United Kingdom

Registered Charity Number: 1055489 Limited Company Number: 5296745

The World Owl Trust is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA). The Trust relies on a dedicated membership, visitors, donations and legacies.